Pakistan have finally announced their 15-member squad for the 2024 ICC T20 World Cup to be held in the West Indies and USA. Pakistan will see as many as five players play in the T20 World Cup for the first time. Meanwhile, the likes of Mad Wasim and Mohammad Amir, who had recently taken back their retirements to be included in the national side, got to keep their spots for the T20 World Cup as well. It’s a strong squad for Pakistan but there are holes as they hope things work out fine. Notably, there are no reserve players named.

Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Saim Ayub, and Usman Khan will make their maiden appearances in a T20 World Cup. The notable absentee was pacer Hasan Ali. Pakistan also received a boost with Haris Rauf declared fit. He adds dimension to this side. Babar Azam will want to lead from the front and hope his side responds well.

Pakistan are drawn with India, the USA, Canada and Ireland in Group A. Babar’s side is expected to reach the Super 8s, where the real test begins. Pakistan have done well at the T20 World Cup. Across eight editions before this year’s event. The Men in Green have won the 2009 title. They have been runners-up in 2007 and 2022 in addition to reaching the semis on three occasions.

Here, we analyse Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup.

A look at Pakistan’s 15-member squad

Squad: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan (wk), Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

Shaheen Afridi is Pakistan’s best bet

Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi can be the match-winner for Pakistan. Shaheen is enjoying a good run of form with the ball. He has all the tricks and variations to get batters puzzled. Shaheen, with his pace, will test the best, and one expects him to be among the top wicket-takers in the tournament. With Amir and Rauf in support, Shaheen will be charging in. As per ESPNcricinfoShaheen has taken 273 T20 scalps at an average of 20.44. His economy rate of 7.91 is decent. For Pakistan, the lanky pacer has claimed 88 scalps at just 20.42. These are serious numbers.

Strengths of the Pakistan cricket team

Pakistan have always been a side that excels in pace, and their main set of bowlers will be threatening. Led by Shaheen, Pakistan have what it takes to have things go on bright from the start. His yorkers, short balls and swing will ask questions to batters. In 13 T20 World Cup games, Shaheen has impressed with 18 scalps at 18. This will be his 3rd T20 World Cup after 2021 and 2022.

Amir is a seasoned customer and he will lend his experience. In 17 T20 World Cup games, Amir has managed 17 scalps. The left-arm pacer owns 330 T20 wickets, including 64 for the national team in T20Is. He will bring character at the death. In overs 16-20, Amir has claimed 134 scalps in T20s at 18.58 (ER: 8.80).

Then you have Haris Rauf, who has done an able job with 249 T20 scalps at 22.62. His economy rate is 8.26. Right-arm pacer Rauf can ball really fast, and he owns six four-wicket hauls and one fifer in the format.

Naseem Shah has the pedigree on offer. The youngster can make his presence felt and look to be nippy. He, too, has a solid pace and can be rotated alongside Rauf. And lastly, Abbas Afridi has made good strides in the early part of his career. He impressed versus New Zealand and Ireland in recent times and owns 78 T20 scalps at an impressive 19.65.

Pakistan’s spin department also has the character. Shadab Khan will lead the attack. He remains Pakistan’s highest wicket-taker in T20Is. Shadab has been there for a long time and his experience is massive. Imad will be key as well. He has returned to the scheme of things and there will be hunger in the utility player’s mind. Usama Mir can be a crucial force. He was the leading wicket-taker in Pakistan Super League 2024. He owns over 130 T20 scalps. 25-year-old Abrar Ahmed will lend his voice from the bench. He had a solid PSL campaign and has started well in T20s.

In batting, Babar Azam leads the pack. Babar can be massive with his calm personality. He owns a truckload of runs in T20s and is a consistent force. Mohammad Rizwan can be Pakistan’s match-winner. He can play those useful knocks. Like Babar, Rizwan is pretty consistent. Fakhar Zaman is another player who has the character to go big. Fakhar will be a clutch figure in that number four position. Iftikhar Ahmed, Usman Khan and Azam Khan are the big-hitters in the Pakistan side. They have a huge role to play. All eyes will be on Usman Khan who will fight for a place with Saim Ayyub at the top. He owns four T20 hundreds.

Weaknesses of the Pakistan cricket team

Batting can be an issue for Pakistan. They need to find the right balance and positions. Rizwan and Ayub are likely to open with Babar at three being the fulcrum. Pakistan are dependent largely on Babar and Rizwan for the fireworks. Ayub remains a weak link up front. He is yet to hit a 50 or 100 in 20 matches for Pakistan.

In Fakhar, you get a makeshift middle-order player who is primarily a top-order batter. Iftikhar and Azam have big responsibilities up their sleeves. Pakistan don’t have the ideal finishers. Azam lacks the experience and athleticism, so a lot depends on bowling all-rounders Shadab and Imad at number seven and eight, respectively. And then you have three pacers. So, one gets five bowling options, with Iftikhar being asked to chip in.

In matches where Pakistan will use a prominent spinner like Usman or a fourth pacer, Azam will be sacrificed.

Another weakness is the lack of experience of players like Usman, Abrar, and Azam. Can they step up on the big stage when called up?

Author’s view: Pakistan’s batting could let them down

Batting can let Pakistan down. In matches where 200-plus scores will be the norm, one can see the side struggle. Both Babar and Rizwan need help from the others with the aggression part, and you scratch your head as to who will turn up. Bowling is Pakistan’s strength, but the batting is a bit shy. Finishing remains a worry as well. So, keeping this in mind, one expects Pakistan to get ousted from the Super 8s and miss out on a semis berth.

Players to watch out for

Babar Azam: The star batter is a sheer T20 stalwart, with runs being the face of his cricket. Babar improved his strike rate in the PSL 2024 season and needs to take a bit more risks. He has plenty of experience riding. The tally of 90 fifties and 11 tons tells his story in T20s. Babar will head into the tournament on the back of 300 T20 matches.

Shadab Khan: Spin sensation Shadab is a valuable figure. He owns 107 T20I scalps for Pakistan and over 300 wickets in the 20-over format. Shadab is also closing in on 3000 T20 runs. With 12 fifties under his belt, he brings immense value to any side. Shadab will need to stand up and deliver.

Pakistan’s schedule for the T20 World Cup

June 6, United States vs Pakistan – Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas (9:00 PM IST)

June 9, India vs Pakistan – Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York (8:00  PM IST)

June 11, Pakistan vs Canada – Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York (8:00 PM IST)

June 16, Pakistan vs Ireland – Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill, Florida (8:00 PM IST)

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