Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Postpones Unveiling of T20 World Cup Squad Due to Fitness and Performance Concerns

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to delay the unveiling of its T20 World Cup squad until late May, citing concerns over the fitness and performance of certain players. The squad is now expected to be revealed on May 23 or 24, just before the ICC’s deadline for teams to make adjustments without consulting the World Cup Technical Committee.

Key players such as Muhammad Rizwan, Azam Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi, and Haris Rauf are currently dealing with niggling injuries, prompting the management and selectors to closely monitor their progress during the upcoming tours of Ireland and England. The selectors will first announce the squad for these tours before evaluating the fitness and performance of the chosen players for the World Cup squad.

While India, Australia, England, South Africa, and New Zealand have already announced their World Cup squads, Pakistan is taking a more cautious approach to ensure they have the best possible team for the tournament. The selectors aim to provide captain Babar Azam and the rest of the players with ample time to build camaraderie and unity before finalizing the squad.

This extended period will allow the team to establish a strong foundation for a successful campaign, focusing on creating an environment where players feel comfortable and connected. A provisional squad has been sent to the ICC for promotional purposes, with the final squad expected to be announced after the first match in England.

The probable squad for the upcoming tours includes Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, among others. With the team’s focus on unity and performance, Pakistan is gearing up for a competitive World Cup campaign.