The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled the T20I squad for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh, and once again, it’s the kind of selection that leaves you scratching your head.
Let’s dig into the squad, the returns, the exclusions, and everything in between.
Why Confirm A Captain That Was Already Confirmed?
First off, PCB’s press release “confirmed” that Salman Ali Agha will continue as the white-ball captain.
Umm… wasn’t he already leading the side during the New Zealand tour? Then why the need for a fresh confirmation? Is his position under threat already? Or are we going to “re-confirm” the captain before every series now?
This kind of messaging does more harm than good. It stirs unnecessary confusion, for fans and, more importantly, for the players. Consistency breeds confidence, and Pakistan cricket could really use some of that right now.
Comebacks In the Pakistan Squad
Despite the offbeat captaincy announcement, there’s plenty to smile about in the squad.
First things first, top-order batters Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub returned to action in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, and now they are back in the national team.
Fakhar’s PSL 10 numbers speak volumes: 369 runs, average 36.90, strike rate 155.04. Saim, while not at his best, is still considered a long-term investment. Fair enough.
Meanwhile, Pakistan recalled pace-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Wasim Jr.
Faheem Ashraf, with 14 wickets at an average of 19.07, has been a crucial cog for Quetta in PSL 10. Mohammad Wasim Jr., though not as dominant, chipped in with 8 wickets in 7 games, still valuable depth.
Meanwhile, Sahibzada Farhan has been knocking on the door for a while now. This time, the selectors finally listened.
He made a strong case with his performances recently. He was the highest run-scorer in the National T20 Cup with 605 runs at a strike rate of 189.65.
Meanwhile, in the PSL 10, he is also at the top with 394 runs, striking at 154.50. Moreover, he struck four centuries across both events!
Hasan Ali earned his spot with 15 wickets in 9 games, while Naseem Shah returns from rest. A bigger surprise, however, is Hussain Talat — back in green after 2021. He’s made a solid case with 205 runs and 5 wickets this PSL season.
But What About Omissions?
Now to the real head-scratchers. Shaheen Afridi’s absence raises eyebrows. PCB didn’t say whether he’s rested or dropped, which just adds to the ambiguity.
Sure, his international form has dipped, but 11 wickets at 21.63 in PSL 10 isn’t terrible.
On the other hand, Abbas Afridi is the highest wicket-taker in PSL 10. 17 wickets in 10 games. And yet, no spot in the squad? Makes you wonder what else a bowler needs to do.
Other Notable Exits
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Abdul Samad
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Jahandad Khan
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Mohammad Ali
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Omair Bin Yousuf
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Usman Khan
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Sufiyan Muqeem
Most of them barely featured in PSL 10, so their exclusion tracks. But Sufiyan Muqeem’s absence stings. With spin-friendly tracks likely and his decent international record, he surely deserved a shot.
Still No Babar & Rizwan
Yes, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are still out of the T20I mix — and this time, the stats don’t make a strong case for their return, despite looking decent.
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Rizwan: 367 runs, Avg 52.42, SR 139.54
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Babar: 288 runs, Avg 36, SR 128.57
Solid numbers, no doubt, but not undeniable in a world where the selectors are backing aggression and youth. Still, their continued absence keeps the debate alive.
Final Thoughts
On the surface, the inclusion of deserving performers like Farhan, Faheem, and Hussain Talat is a step in the right direction. But the lack of clarity on omissions, especially of key names like Shaheen and Abbas Afridi, leaves room for speculation.
If this is truly the start of a bold new era, let it be consistent, transparent, and fair. The fans deserve it. The players, even more so.
Let’s just hope the playing XI reflects the intentions behind these selections, and not a safe, confused shuffle when it’s game time.
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