Pakistan pick uncapped Haider Ali, Naseem Shah for England T20Is

Pakistan named a 17-man Twenty20 squad on Friday for the upcoming three-match series against England. Babar Azam will captain the side, with all three matches to be played behind closed doors at Old Trafford in Manchester when the series begins on Aug. 28.

Pakistan have shortlisted 19-year-olds Naseem Shah and Haider Ali along with veterans Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik and Wahab Riaz for T20I series vs England.

“This is mostly the same team which has been featuring in the shortest format for us,” Pakistan Head Coach and Chief Selector Misbah-ul-Haq said.

Pakistan shortlist 17 players for England T20Ishttps://t.co/yzIpCpm2AZ pic.twitter.com/Tx56cAW7TM

— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) August 21, 2020

“Besides retaining the core, we have inducted youngsters like Haider Ali, who has performed well in the HBL PSL, U19 and first-class cricket, and Naseem Shah as we had an opportunity to keep a bigger pool due to Covid-19 pandemic, which also increases our options.

“Our two experienced bowlers in Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz have also returned to the side, along with Fakhar Zaman and Sarfaraz Ahmed.”

“Usually, the T20I team comes together for a brief period but due to the current situation most of the players have been here with us for more than a month and it has provided us a good opportunity to work on the development of the team and the young players,” Misbah said.

“So, even the players who might not get an opportunity to play will benefit from the experience they are getting here. It is going to be a competitive series as England are a strong side. We are looking forward to play good cricket and win the series.”

Pakistan squad for England T20Is: Babar Azam (c), Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Wahab Riaz.