Pakistan’s national selectors have decided to leave senior players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi out of the upcoming series of T20Is against West Indies and Bangladesh. The decision indicates a shift in immediate focus to nurturing younger talent before a busy international schedule.
The Trio Likely To Be Out Of T20Is
As reported by sources privy to selection choices, the four-man panel comprising Aaqib Javed, Aleem Dar, Azhar Ali, and Asad Shafiq, as well as head coach Mike Hesson, have informed the veteran trio that their services will not be needed for the next round of T20 assignments. Instead, the administration wishes them to focus on the ICC World Test Championship and the ODI version of the game, where experience has been considered more vital.
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Tours Scheduled for July–August, Squad to be Revealed Shortly
The Pakistan team will be touring the West Indies in late July to play a series of three T20 Internationals and three ODIs. From there, the team will proceed to Bangladesh to play a T20 series, which had been scheduled for three matches. However, the series is being discussed to be extended to five matches in August.
Afghanistan Series and Asia Cup Preparations Also in the Pipeline
Apart from the Bangladesh and Caribbean tours, Pakistan is slated to play Afghanistan in a T20 series later in August. These games are being regarded as valuable groundwork in preparation for the Asia Cup (proposed for September) and ICC T20 World Cup early next year.
Selectors Keen to Test New Talent
According to PTI, one source within the selection panel stated that the selectors and coach Hesson are keen to offer equal chances to young players in the shortest form of the game. The seniors’ exclusion is not performance-related but strategic, looking at developing squad depth.
Interestingly, despite being ignored from the national T20 squad, Shaheen Afridi continues to shine in franchise cricket, having recently led Lahore Qalandars to their third Pakistan Super League (PSL) title in five seasons.
Pattern of T20 Omission Continues for Senior Players
This is not the first time Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen have been excluded from Pakistan’s T20 squad. Babar has especially been left out of various recent series in the shortest form, including those against New Zealand, Bangladesh, Australia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. The latest decision seems to be the follow-up of that pattern, indicating a conscious long-term approach on the part of the team management.
(With PTI Inputs)
