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Haider Ali Out, Wasim Jr In As Pakistan Shaheens Make Major Squad Changes

Rajgeeta Yadav

Pakistan Shaheens make two major changes in the squad [Source: @BDCricTime/X.com]Pakistan Shaheens make two major changes in the squad [Source: @BDCricTime/X.com]

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made two big changes to the Pakistan Shaheens squad ahead of the Top End T20 Series in Darwin, Australia, from August 14 to 24.

First, batter Haider Ali has been dropped and replaced by Mohammad Faiq. Haider has been suspended after UK police launched a criminal investigation against him. The Greater Manchester Police are currently looking into the matter, and PCB says it’s aware of the situation.

Mohammad Wasim Comes In Place Of Salman Mirza

Second, fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jr has been brought in to replace left-arm pacer Salman Mirza. Salman, who impressed during the Bangladesh series by taking seven wickets in just three matches, was also recently left out of the national T20I squad for the West Indies series.

The Shaheens will be captained by Muhammad Irfan Khan and include experienced names like Abdul Samad, Faisal Akram, and Mubasir Khan. Wicketkeeping duties will be shared between Khawaja Mohammad Nafay and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori. The bowling attack now has extra strength with Wasim Jr’s pace.

Pakistan Shaheens will open their campaign against Bangladesh ‘A’ on August 14 at TIO Stadium. They’ll then face Scorchers (Aug 16) and Renegades (Aug 18) at the same venue, before moving to DXC Arena to play Kingsmen (Aug 19), Strikers (Aug 21), and Nepal (Aug 22). The semi-finals and final are on August 24.

The Top End T20 Series will feature 12 teams and aims to give young players valuable experience in competitive T20 cricket outside Pakistan.

Pakistan Shaheens 15-Member Squad:

Muhammad Irfan Khan (captain), Abdul Samad, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wicket-keeper), Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Faiq, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Mubasir Khan, Saad Masood, Shahid Aziz, Ubaid Shah and Yasir Khan

Team management: Ghulam Ali (head coach), Sami Ullah Niazi (bowling coach), Mansoor Amjad (fielding coach), Muhammad Ibrahim (analyst), Muhammad Aleem (physio)