As the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 approaches, Pakistan enters the tournament not as one of the favorites, but there is hope to see the ‘Shaheens’ lift the trophy for the second time after 2009.
With the tournament scheduled to kick off in the USA and West Indies in June, the excitement surrounding Pakistan’s potential lineup has reached a fever pitch.
Predict Your Semi-Finalists For The ICC World Cup T20 2024
Pakistan’s cricketing fortunes have faced challenges recently, from disappointing performances at the Asia Cup 2023 and the ICC ODI World Cup 2023 to defeats against Australia and New Zealand across formats. The road to redemption appears challenging.
However, Pakistani cricket fans remain hopeful, especially in the T20 format, where the team has shown resilience. Despite recent setbacks, there is optimism about Pakistan’s prospects in T20 cricket.
Without further ado, here’s our early prediction for the 15-man squad that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) might select for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024. It’s time for some early predictions!
Babar Azam (c)
It’s undeniable that Babar Azam has proven himself as the best player for Pakistan, especially after his outstanding performance in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL 9). Despite recent changes in leadership, Azam continues to be the cornerstone of Pakistan’s team, and reports suggest that his reinstatement as captain is highly likely.
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Saim Ayub
Saim Ayub’s recent performances in the PSL have brought him into the spotlight. With his aggressive stroke play and the added bonus of being a useful spin-bowling option, Ayub has the potential to be a significant force at the top of the order.
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Mohammad Rizwan
Behind the stumps, Mohammad Rizwan, known for his reliability, is expected to continue as Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batsman. Rizwan’s consistency and cricketing intelligence make him a vital asset in the T20 format. However, whether he is a definite starter in this T20 team remains a major dilemma.
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Shadab Khan
The mercurial Shadab Khan is anticipated to play a pivotal role. Despite recent concerns over his form, Shaddy’s knack for turning the game around with both bat and ball makes him an indispensable component of Pakistan’s squad. His recent MVP award in PSL 9 might just be the catalyst for a turnaround in his fortunes.
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Usman Khan
This Pakistani-born Emirati batsman has been vying for an opportunity to play for the Shaheens for some time. Despite delivering hard-hitting performances for Multan Sultans in the PSL, it took the prospect of representing the UAE for the PCB to finally recognize the talent and potential of this exciting young cricketer. Usman Khan’s ability for power-hitting and explosive approach to the game brings a new dimension to Pakistan’s middle order.
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Iftikhar Ahmed
No Pakistani T20I squad would be complete without “IftiMania.” The explosive Iftikhar Ahmed is expected to retain his role as Pakistan’s finisher-in-chief. His ability to accelerate the scoring rate and clear the ropes effortlessly makes him a potent weapon in the latter stages of an innings, as evidenced by his recent form for Multan Sultans.
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Imad Wasim
One of the more intriguing names in the squad is Imad Wasim. His resurgence in the Pakistan Super League has earned him a recall to the national side. Wasim is a crafty all-rounder with a knack for contributing in crunch situations. His inclusion adds depth to Pakistan’s squad.
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Shaheen Afridi
Once regarded as the most fearsome fast bowler in cricket, Shaheen Shah Afridi appears to have lost some of his former prowess. Additionally, his brief stint as T20I captain was largely unsuccessful.
However, despite recent setbacks, Afridi remains one of Pakistan’s most potent bowling assets. If he refrains from trying to emulate his father-in-law (Shahid Afridi) as a batting all-rounder and instead focuses on his bowling, there is hope that we may witness the ‘Eagle’ soar once more (fingers crossed).
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Naseem Shah
Joining Afridi in the fast-bowling department is the returning Naseem ‘The Dream’ Shah, whose performances in the Pakistan Super League have propelled him back into national contention. With his ability to generate pace and extract bounce, Shah enhances the potency of Pakistan’s pace attack.
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Mohammad Amir
Completing the pace battery is the experienced Mohammad Amir, whose guile and experience could prove invaluable in pressure situations. Despite controversies surrounding his return, Amir’s skill with the new ball makes him a valuable asset to the team.
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Haris Rauf
Despite being overshadowed by his tendency to concede runs, Haris Rauf’s ability to generate pace and variations still makes him a dangerous proposition for any opposition batsman. We hope he recovers in time after suffering a dislocated shoulder during the recently concluded PSL.
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Abrar Ahmed
A young spinner with a knack for picking up crucial wickets, Ahmed adds variety to Pakistan’s bowling attack with his ability to turn the ball sharply. Let’s hope he doesn’t prioritize his batting over his bowling, akin to “Shadab.”
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Usama Mir
Another highly-skilled spinner, Usama Mir, has demonstrated his worthiness for a place in the 15-man squad by becoming the leading wicket-taker in PSL 9 (merit, you know). He just needs to maintain his composure while playing at the international level and not let past mishaps distract him.
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Fakhar Zaman
The enigmatic opener, Fakhar Zaman, whose ability to switch between destroyer and bystander leaves fans wondering which version will show up on the day, remains a top choice for the opening batsman in Pakistan’s T20I lineup. While he has been hit and miss for a while, when he starts hitting, Fakhar becomes one of the most destructive batsmen in the world.
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Zaman Khan
Another talented fast bowler deserving a place in the squad is often regarded as a death-over specialist, adept at bowling variations and yorkers. His side-arm bowling action often draws comparisons to the former Sri Lankan fast bowler Malinga.
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T20 World Cup 2024: Pakistan team
As Pakistan gears up for the World Cup campaign, the selection of the final 15-man squad has been a subject of intrigue and speculation. While the squad presented here appears strong and well-rounded, there may be differing opinions on certain selections. We welcome your thoughts and feedback on our squad selection in the comments below. If you believe we have overlooked any deserving players, please share your insights..