Pakistan Announce 20-Man Squad For T20I Series Against South Africa

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 20-man squad for the upcoming three-match home T20I series against South Africa. All three matches are slated to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The first T20I is scheduled for 11th February followed by matches on the 13th and 14th.

Pakistan is coming off a T20I series loss to New Zealand; they lost by a 2-1 margin. But the Men in Green will be bolstered by the return of skipper, Babar Azam who missed all the games in New Zealand due to a thumb injury.

Shadab Khan, who led the side in Babar’s absence is also missing from the squad due to an injury he picked up in New Zealand.

The Quinton de Kock led outfit is also coming of a T20I series loss. They were whitewashed at home by Eoin Morgan’s England side a couple of months ago.

Pakistan drop Fakhar Zaman, and Wahab Riaz from the T20I squad

Opener Fakhar Zaman and pacer Wahab Riaz are been dropped while Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in the series against the Kiwis, Mohammad Hafeez,, and all-rounder Imad Wasim are also not included to face South Africa.

The Mohammad Akram-led selection panel has named four uncapped players: spinners, Zafar Gohar and Zahid Mahmood along with a pair of all-rounders Amad Butt and Danish Aziz. Pacer Hasan Ali and middle-order batsman, Asif Ali are making a return to the Pakistan T20I side.

The hosts won the first Test in Karachi by 7 wickets. The second and last Test between Pakistan and South Africa will commence on 4th February in Rawalpindi.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam(C), Haider Ali, Khushdil Shah, Hussain Talat, Danish Aziz, Asif Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Zafar Gohar, Faheem Ashraf, Aamer Yamin, Amad Butt, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Hasan Ali, Usman Qadir, Zahid Mehmood

Also Read: India Overwhelming Favorites To Win The Test Series Against England: Ian Chappell