Pakistan pick Shan Masood for T20 World Cup; Fakhar Zaman misses out

Masood had impressed with his skills while playing for Multan Sultans in Pakistan Super League 2022 as he had scored 478 runs from 12 innings at a strike rate of 138.15. Furthermore, he continued his good show as he amassed 204 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 129.93 in the National T20 Cup.

Thus, he has been rewarded for his good form and he will look to continue his Midas touch. Shaheen Shah Afridi also returns to Pakistan’s squad after missing the Asia Cup due to a knee injury.

“We have a team that can perform strongly in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. That’s why we have shown faith and confidence in almost the same set of players who have been part of the T20I squad post the 2021 World Cup in the UAE,” chief selector Muhammad Wasim said.

“These players have performed well since November 2021 and that’s why we have won nine out of our last 13 T20Is. We have invested in these cricketers and it is fair to them that they get the opportunity to show their mettle in the World Cup, an event for which they have been preparing and training hard.

“We needed to ensure continuity and support to these players, and that’s precisely what we have done. We are receiving encouraging reports about Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is likely to resume bowling early next month.”

Pakistan T20 World Cup squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usman Qadir

Travelling Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris and Shahnawaz Dahani.

Pakistan will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against India at the MCG on 23rd October.