Ace legspinner Shadab Khan has been named in a 16-man Pakistan squad for the forthcoming ODI series against West Indies. The 23-year-old had missed the ODIs against Australia with a groin injury and returns to the squad alongside all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz.
Pakistan have pruned their squad to 16 from the 21 named for the Australia series given the upcoming games will not be played in a Managed Event Environment and thus will allow selectors to draft in players mid-series if the need arises. Among the players left out are Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Haider Ali and Usman Qadir. Saud Shakeel, who is scheduled to undergo surgery for sinusitis, was also not considered.
“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,” chief selector Muhammad Wasim said. “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.
“For the Australia ODIs, we had also announced backup players as cover to those players who were carrying injuries. Players such as Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan are now fully fit, which has allowed us to leave out Asif Afridi and Usman Qadir. However, Usman along with Asif Ali and Haider Ali remains in our plans for the shortest format as we have a series of T20Is lined up this year, including the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.”
The Pakistan squad will assemble in Rawalpindi on June 1 for a training camp and will be joined there by Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shadab, who is currently playing in the County Championship. The three ODIs will be played at the Pindi Cricket Stadium on June 8, 10, and 12.
