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LAUDERHILL: Pakistan white-ball captain Salman Ali Agha has addressed the exclusion of emerging fast bowlers Abbas Afridi, Ahmed Daniyal, and Salman Mirza from the squad for the white-ball series against the West Indies.
The trio had featured in the recent T20I series against Bangladesh, where Salman Mirza emerged as a bright spot with seven wickets in three games on his debut assignment.
Ahmed Daniyal made his debut in the same series, taking three wickets in two matches, while Abbas Afridi has been a regular member of Pakistan’s T20I side over the past year.
The pace battery for the Caribbean tour sees the return of experienced campaigners Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Haris Rauf.
In a video statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Salman clarified that the changes were part of a strategic decision to bring back Pakistan’s frontline pacers.
“These are our first-choice bowlers, the ones who have delivered consistently for Pakistan,” he said.
“We experimented in the last two series against Bangladesh, but now we are entering an important phase. It was necessary to go back to our main bowling options.”
Pakistan will face the West Indies in a three-match T20I series starting this Friday at Central Broward Regional Park in Lauderhill, Florida.
Acknowledging the strength of the hosts, Salman Ali Agha said the team is prepared for a tough challenge.
“West Indies have always been a tough side to play against because their T20 players are very dangerous. But we’re excited and fully prepared for the challenge,” he added.
The 31-year-old all-rounder also underlined the importance of the series in the lead-up to two major tournaments later this year, the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup.
“Every series is crucial from here on. We’re looking to build momentum and find the right combination. With a mix of senior and younger players, we’ve formed a strong squad and are hopeful for a solid performance,” he said.
The T20Is will be played on August 2, 3, and 4 in Lauderhill, followed by a three-match ODI series at the Brian Lara Cricket Academy in Trinidad and Tobago on August 8, 10, and 12.
Pakistan T20I Squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim
Pakistan ODI Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem
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