Pakistan’s World T20 Squad needs to be finalized now so they can play the squad and prepare them for the major event. With the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League‘s (PSL) 9th edition, Pakistan’s international commitment resumes next month when New Zealand tours Pakistan for 5 T20Is. Then Pakistan tours England in May to play a 4-T20I series. I believe nine T20Is are more than enough for the preparation.
In my opinion, the squad should be selected by considering the PSL 9 performances. I could have preferred Pakistan’s local T20 tournament National T20 Cup but I emphasize PSL because that is the latest competition when the form of the player must be determined.
So I forward you my ideal WT20 Pakistan squad with short details:
MY WORLD T20 SQUAD
1. SHAHEEN AFRIDI (CAPTAIN)
Even if he had not performed or played the PSL, having him would be the priority. The matter of argument is obviously his captaincy that was the weakest amongst all the captains who led their teams in the PSL. In fact, Lahore Qalandars was the first team not to qualify.
Even he is not my choice, Mohammad Rizwan is. But the only reason I have considered him to continue is, (A) It is unethical and very harsh for the Pakistan Cricket Board to select Shaheen as the captain of the format to lead the WT20 and then drop him after one series. And (B) We cannot judge his captaincy from one international series. With the announcement, he should be trusted, given confidence, and the team must be united under him.
2. MOHAMMAD RIZWAN (VICE-CAPTAIN)
407 runs in 12 innings that included 4 half centuries BUT at the strike rate of 122. Due to this reason, he must bat in the middle-order. The biggest plus is his leadership quality, Shaheen will be lucky to have his output on the field.
3. BABAR AZAM
Pakistan’s no.1 batsman in all formats and the leading scorer in the PSL. Thankfully is back in form and will be under less pressure because he will not be relied as a captain. The edge over Rizwan is that his strike rate in the PSL (142.6) was far better than Rizwan (122.22). So he must either open or come at 3.
4. NASEEM SHAH
Doing heavy duty at such a young age and naturally a quick bowler. Returned from injury with 15 wickets in the PSL and that too at an economy rate of 7.56 (the second-lowest among all Pakistani bowlers who took minimum 10 PSL wickets).
5. SAIM AYUB
A unanimous choice and the brightest prospect in batting who can bat in all three formats. His shots-selection, powerful hitting, and his amazing opening-run with Babar has cemented his place. Saim scored 345 runs at a strike rate of 157 in 11 innings. He also hit most sixes in the tournament (21). He also turned out to be a handy part-timer who took more wickets (8), with better average (22.37) and economy rate (7.45) than Faheem Ashraf (6 at 46 and 9.85 respectively).
6. SHADAB KHAN
One of the key players whose lack of form disturbed Pakistan’s performances in the ODIs and T20s last year was one of the best captains in the PSL, scored over 300 runs and took 14 wickets too. Shadab led Islamabad United to PSL glory and was declared Man of the Series.
7. SAHIBZADA FARHAN
266 runs in 8 innings at 133.66 is impressive and fits in the bill to open with Saim if Babar is not planned to start with latter.
8. IFTIKHAR AHMED
259 runs in 11 innings including 7 not outs! A strike rate of 193.28 which was the highest among the top-scorers with minimum 200 runs. He hit 17 sixes which was the highest after Saim. He is the most-wanted hitter any team would rely at 6 or 7.
9. USAMA MIR
Easily the most improved T20 player who was also the leading wicket-taker in the PSL with 24 wickets at an economy rate of 8.13. The only genuine spinner of my ideal squad has only one competitor, Abrar Ahmed who took 16 wickets at a better economy rate (7.82).
10. AZAM KHAN (WICKET-KEEPER)
The big show is yet to impress in T20I but his franchise T20 form keeps pressing the national side to give him more time. Why? He is unarguably one of the biggest smashers from Pakistan for T20 games. And in the PSL, he proved once again why Pakistan still needs him. He scored 226 runs at a heavy strike rate of 171 which is the highest among the top scorers after Iftikhar. He was also declared the wicket-keeper of the tournament.
11. MOHAMMAD ALI
Second-highest wicket taker with 19 wickets. There is no reason I will not include him in the bowling department. With Shaheen and Naseem, he is the most ideal fast bowler to start the match.
12. AGHA SALMAN
In the last few months, Agha Salman has build some reputation as a batsman. He is quite a favor in all three formats and offers all kinds of shots. With a given situation, he is flexible to bat at any position. Scored 310 runs at a strike rate of 140.27.
13. HASAN ALI
My ideal choice was Zaman Khan but the reason why I chose Hasan over Zaman is because not only that he had more wickets (14) than Zaman (11) but also had a better average (22.42 > 28.72) and a better economy rate (8.26 > 9.87). Hasan adds more aggression and spirit in the team and is a handy slogger.
14. SAUD SHAKEEL
Saud Shakeel is another impressive consideration to rival Sahibzada Farhan for opening with Saim. In comparison, Saud Shakeel scored more runs (343) than Farhan at a better strike rate (141). He can easily be played in the middle if Pakistan decides not to play Azam Khan in the match. Then having Saud, Rizwan, and Iftikhar in the middle will boost run-rate acceleration.
15. IMAD WASIM
Now that is the most discussed player since the knockout phase of the PSL until now. He has retired from international cricket but hold on! He is from Pakistan and our cricketers don’t take retirement seriously. Jokes aside, what matters is that when a major cricket event is scheduled and Pakistan is expected like every other participant to shine, the pride of the country comes first.
After this PSL, is there a doubt or a question about his being a better all-rounder than Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf? I don’t even remember when was the last time any of them clicked or did any favor to the national side. And here is this guy, who won four consecutive man of the match awards for his multiple clutch performances! It is about making your team a world champion, do yourself and us a favor, drop your retirement, and make yourself available for the upcoming series.
CLOSING REMARKS
The chief selector must take the responsibility to shape a perfect T20 squad. No matter what squad is finalized, the best interest of the team should be prioritized. It will be highly annoying to see controversial picks that has mostly been the custom of national selection committee for announcing the squad. I say good luck for the preparations and may we see Pakistan champion again.
SUBSCRIBE TO MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND WATCH MY WORLD T20 SQUAD HERE
FOLLOW ‘THE DARK KNAIK’ ON OTHER SOCIAL PLATFORMS
LETTERBOXD https://letterboxd.com/TheDarkKnaik/
FACEBOOK https://www.facebook.com/thedarkknaik
INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/thedarkknaik/
Sami Naik | Film Critic 