AFG vs PAK: Shadab Khan to lead in absence of Babar as Pakistan announce squad for T20I series; four uncapped players rewarded for PSL brilliance

Ihsanullah, Zaman Khan, Saim Ayub and Tayyab Tahir. (Photo Source: FAROOQ NAEEM/AFP via Getty Images,ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images,AAMIR QURESHI/AFP via Getty Images)

Pakistan have announced a young brigade to take on Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series starting March 24 with Shadab Khan to lead the side in absence of Babar Azam.

Four uncapped players have managed to find a place in the 15-member squad. Ihsanullah (Multan Sultans), Saim Ayub (Peshawar Zalmi), Tayyab Tahir (Karachi Kings) and Zaman Khan (Lahore Qalandars) have been rewarded for their inmpressive performances in the ongoing Pakistan Super League and have been provided with an opportunity to have a taste of international cricet.

In addition to the inclusion of uncapped players, the squad also witnesses the return of Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim. All these players have also contributed well for their respective franchises in the ongoing Pakistan T20 extravaganza and hence have been recalled to the team.

Meanwhile, the selection the committee headed by Haroon Rasheed has rested the likes of Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi to manage their workload keeping the forthcoming series in mind.

Saim Ayub has scored 309 runs in ten matches played in the season thus far and has been an integral contributor to Peshawar Zalmi alongside skipper Babar. Tayyab Tahir has scored 65 runs in five matches at a strike rate of 144.21 for Karachi Kings in the ongoing season.

Lahore’s success this season has been largely due to pacer Zaman Khan who has played 10 matches and bagged 12 wickets at an average of 22.08. He has bowled at an economy rate of 8.68 in the ongoing season.

On the other hand, Ihsanullah of Multan Sultans has been the most successful bowler in the season with 20 wickets in ten innings at a stupendous average of 14.60 and an impressive economy rate of 7.36 considering most bowlers have struggled in containing the batters this season.

Pakistan squad:

Shadab Khan (captain) (Islamabad United), Abdullah Shafique (Lahore Qalandars), Azam Khan (Islamabad United), Faheem Ashraf (Islamabad United), Iftikhar Ahmed (Quetta Gladiators), Ihsanullah (Multan Sultans), Imad Wasim (Karachi Kings), Mohammad Haris (Peshawar Zalmi), Mohammad Nawaz (Quetta Gladiators), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Islamabad United), Naseem Shah (Quetta Gladiators), Saim Ayub (Peshawar Zalmi), Shan Masood (Multan Sultans), Tayyab Tahir (Karachi Kings), Zaman Khan (Lahore Qalandars)

Reserve players – Abrar Ahmed (Islamabad United), Haseebullah (Peshawar Zalmi) and Usama Mir (Multan Sultans)

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