The selectors may finalize the Pakistan squad for the tour of Ireland and England in the next few days.
The News has learned that the selectors are awaiting updates on four injured players Haris Rauf, Azam Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, and Irfan Khan Niazi before finalizing the squad for the T20 matches in England and Ireland.
The selectors are also likely to announce the squad for the T20 World Cup starting in June after reviewing the performances of the players in Ireland and England.
We have plenty of time to finalize the 15-man squad for the World Cup. The ICC has already set a deadline of May 25 to submit the names of 15 players for the T20 World Cup. It is not wise to announce the World Cup squad at this time. Before naming the team, we can take the opportunity to see the progress of the players during the Ireland and England series.
The squad for the three-match series against Ireland will be announced after the selectors get an update on the players’ fitness.
Mohammad Rizwan, Azam Khan and Irfan Khan Niazi are almost back to fitness, while Haris Rauf, who has not played an international or national event since January, has not recovered his fitness even though he is currently training in Lahore. I am busy. Hopefully, Harris will be considered for selection against Ireland and England,” the official added.
A short training camp is likely to begin in Lahore on May 3 before the team departs for Ireland.
Meanwhile, around 25 Pakistani cricketers and 21 officials underwent biometrics at the US embassy on Monday.
Captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Azam Khan already have USA visas while the rest are renewing their visas for the first time or to participate in the World Cup. We have secured visas for quite some cricketers mainly because you never know which player will be needed during the month-long event in the US and the Caribbean.
During their stay at the US Embassy, the team members met US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Bloom and discussed the upcoming World Cup and its importance for Pakistan and the US.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, and a few other Pakistani players were also seen bowling and batting to the delight of the embassy staff. Photos, selfies and autographs were also shared during the team’s stay at the embassy.
