Pakistan has announced its 16-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh, ending days of speculation over team selection. The squad features a mix of experienced players and fresh faces, with Hasan Ali making a return.
However, the announcement has also brought some surprises. Notably, young left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeem has been left out of the squad, despite his strong T20 record. Muqeem, who has yet to play in Asian conditions, boasts impressive numbers: 18 wickets at an average of 10.66, a strike rate of 23.1, and an economy rate of 6.06.
With only Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan included as spin options—Shadab himself struggling for form—the decision to drop Muqeem has raised questions, especially given Pakistan’s limited spin resources. Many see this as a missed opportunity to test a promising young spinner at home.
| Salman Ali Agha (c) | Shadab Khan (vc) | Mohammad Haris (wk) | Hasan Ali |
| Mohammad Wasim Jnr | Sahibzada Farhan | Khushdil Shah | Hassan Nawaz |
| Muhammad Irfan Khan | Saim Ayub | Faheem Ashraf | Fakhar Zaman |
| Naseem Shah | Haris Rauf | Abrar Ahmed | Hussain Talat |
The squad was selected based on performances in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL X), which concludes on May 25. All three matches will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with the schedule to be announced soon. The series will also mark the first assignment for new head coach Mike Hesson.
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