All-rounder Shadab Khan has been named in Pakistan’s 16-member squad for the three-match home ODI series against the West Indies, beginning June 8. Notably, top-order batter Abdullah Shafique and left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz have earned a call-up as well.
23-year-old Shadab had missed the ODIs against Australia in March-April with a groin injury and will be back to the vice-captaincy role.
Shafique and Nawaz have also been included, while Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Saud Shakeel and Usman Qadir, who were all a part of the Australia series have been sidelined.
Rawalpindi will host each of the three ODI’s scheduled to be played on June 8, 10 and 12. The Pakistan Cricket Board have also kept Multan as a back-up, as the capital city Islamabad, which is adjacent to Rawalpindi, will likely be the centre for prime minister Imran Khan’s political rally, scheduled to begin on May 25.
“As the ODIs against the West Indies are part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 qualification, we have decided to give 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.”
The PCB decided against naming an extended squad with the series set to be played without a bio-secure bubble in place. The Australia series too didn’t have one, but injury concerns had forced the board to name a 21-member contingent then.
Skipper Babar Azam, openers Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman, and Mohammad Rizwan will be the side’s leading batters, while the seam bowling would revolve around Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali and Haris Rauf to go with the all-round skills of Shadab and Mohammad Nawaz.
A major part of the squad, including the coaching staff, will assemble in Rawalpindi on June 1 for a training camp. Rauf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan and Shadab, who are currently participating in the County Championship in England, will join the team sometime in the first week of June.
The ODIs will be a part of the World Cup Super League table. Pakistan are placed ninth with six wins and as many defeats from 12 matches, while the West Indies follow them at 10th with five wins and 10 defeats.
Top eight teams in the table will get a direct entry to the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, including India who are the tournament hosts. The remaining teams will then compete in the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Qualifier along with five associate teams, with the top two making it to the competition.
Pakistan’s ODI squad for West Indies series
Babar Azam (capt), Shadab Khan (vice-capt), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Zahid Mahmood.
