Pakistan announce 16-member squad for ODI series against West Indies

The Pakistan Cricket Board announced a 16-member squad for the three-match ODI series against West Indies, a part of the ICC Cricket World Cup Super League, scheduled to start on 8th June in Rawalpindi.

Babar Azam will continue to captain the side, with Shadab Khan also returning as vice-captain, who missed the ODI series against Australia due to an injury. 

Apart from them, Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq are the three openers in the squad. In contrast, there are just two middle-order batters, Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah, alongside captain Babar. 

Mohammad Rizwan will keep wickets with Mohammad Haris as a backup wicket-keeper. Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab are two spin all-rounders, with Zahid Mahmood as another leggie, followed by five fast bowlers in Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shahnawaz Dahani.

Considering the series will not be played in a Managed Event Environment, the selectors have decided to reduce the squad to a 16-member squad instead of 21 players, which played against Australia previously. The return of Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan allowed them to leave out Asif Afridi, Asif Ali and Usman Qadir, who will not be taking part in this series. 

Speaking on team selection, Chief Selector Muhammad Wasim reflected the importance of these three ODIs against the West Indies as they are a part of the Super League. 

“As the ODIs against the West Indies are part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 qualification, we have decided to give the best chance to our side to collect maximum points and strengthen our chances of progressing directly for the pinnacle 50-over tournament. We have retained the same core of players so they further establish themselves in the format. I hope this bunch will continue the form they gained from the Australia series,” Muhammad Wasim said.

Mohammad Wasim further added the importance of these players who miss out on the current squad. 

“Usman along with Asif Ali and Haider Ali remain in the PCBs plans for the shortest format as they have a series of T20I lined up this year, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022,” he added. 

The opening batter, Saud Shakeel, will miss out as he is scheduled to undergo surgery for sinusitis. Meanwhile, Rauf, Hasan, Rizwan and Shadab - who are currently playing in the County Championship - will join the squad in Rawalpindi shortly. 

Pakistan squad for WI ODI

Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Zahid Mahmood