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T20 World Cup: PCB finalises 15-member team

Published: July 17, 2012

Muhammad Hafeez named captain, Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzak and Imran Nazir make comeback. PHOTO: REUTERS

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday finalised a 15-member team for the Twenty20 World Cup, Express News reported.

The team, which will be led by Muhammad Hafeez, will see wicket keeper Kamran Akmal, Abdul Razzaq and Imran Nazir make a comeback after a year and a half.

Nasir Jamshed, Umar Akmal and Asad Shafiq are the batsmen named for the T20 team and bowlers include Umar Gul, Mohammad Sami, Saeed Ajmal and Raza Hassan.

All rounders Abdul Razzaq, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Sohail Tanveer and Yasir Arafat will be part of this team which, according to PCB, will be the same one playing against Australia.

The deadline for submitting the finalised team to the International Cricket Council (ICC) is August 18.

The 12-team tournament will run from September 18 to October 7.

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Reader Comments (69)

  • The Flying Object
    Jul 17, 2012 - 1:17PM

    Yes… I’m happy for Imran Nazir. INSHALLAH he will fire this time :)

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  • Maan
    Jul 17, 2012 - 1:26PM

    Yes, Imran Nazir is a good sign, and our team seems the best now, Inshallah we will bring the cup.

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  • Sajid Mahmood Awan
    Jul 17, 2012 - 1:53PM

    Imran Nazir is a spent force. His previous track-record suggests, he will be a burden at the expense of other talented batsmen waiting to show their credentials.

    Abdur Razzaq has only himself to blame for his poor performances owing to his worst fitness level and athleticism.

    Pakistan will have a squad of 13 members as they both are of no use.

    Let them warm the benches / show them the exit door. I will then be optimistic about Pakistan’s chances of winning the coveted trophy.

    PAKISTAN PAAINDABAD

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  • Dak
    Jul 17, 2012 - 1:56PM

    Muhammad Hafeez, Imran Nazir, Kamran Akmal, Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, S. Afridi, S. Malik, A, Razzaq, S. Tanveer, Umar Gul & Ajmal – brilliant team :)

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  • M@ni
    Jul 17, 2012 - 2:02PM

    Why shoaib Malik ????? Insanity prevails

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  • bilal
    Jul 17, 2012 - 2:06PM

    good team selection.. all the best green lions

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  • DFSDA
    Jul 17, 2012 - 2:08PM

    well come ROCKY RAZZAQ

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  • Mohsin
    Jul 17, 2012 - 2:14PM

    Kamran Akmal – Bad Keeper, links with Match Fixing, smart enough not to get caught.

    A country of 180 million cannot find a better wicket-keeper

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  • S.F.Ali
    Jul 17, 2012 - 2:21PM

    why Yasir Arafat?? why not Junaid Khan…..n Khalid Latif would be a better option for the place of asad Shafiq, as he is more like a Test or ODI playere.

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  • nono
    Jul 17, 2012 - 2:22PM

    What about Junaid Khan? Nice to see Kamran Akmal and Razzak back.

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  • Shah
    Jul 17, 2012 - 2:25PM

    I hope there’s a place for Ahmed Shahzad.

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  • Mr S
    Jul 17, 2012 - 2:28PM

    Inclusion of Imran Nazir and Razzaq is good but dropping Junaid Khan and ignoring Hammad Azam is mind baffling. JK should had been picked in place of Sami after his good performance against Sri Lankans. Also I don’t understand why Hammad Azam is always ignored . He is good enough choice inplace of Arafat.

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  • Hashmi
    Jul 17, 2012 - 2:41PM

    can we please ask our PM to rent is a new team,, please ..

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  • ET Fan
    Jul 17, 2012 - 2:46PM

    Okay where is Junaid Khan? and why not taking another wicketkeeper in case Kamran Akmal starts dropping from where he left…..

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  • Aslam
    Jul 17, 2012 - 2:46PM

    Nyc selection! Em deligted by seeing Imran Nazir’s name in squad. Inshallah PAK team would bring the Cup. Waiting for thiz rocking Summer series.

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  • Buttler
    Jul 17, 2012 - 2:48PM

    IMRAN NAZIR….Bro break all schakles this time…All the best guys…Team is good but need to be in form and gelled togather…Green team ALLAH kamyab karay

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  • Someone
    Jul 17, 2012 - 2:50PM

    Hope Kamran Akmal doesn’t stuff up this time.

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  • Hashim
    Jul 17, 2012 - 2:59PM

    I am amazed at how much politics is influencing the selection of Pakistan Team. Bringing the old guns back for such a main event, when the new guys are performing well is really astonoshing. I dont think Abdur Razzak, Yasir Arafat and Muhammad Sami should have a place in the side.

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  • osama
    Jul 17, 2012 - 3:02PM

    Why isn’t this news on cricinfo??

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  • Nasir Mahmood
    Jul 17, 2012 - 3:03PM

    If this is true, a very balanced side. Wish them good luck.

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  • Hashim
    Jul 17, 2012 - 3:03PM

    My team
    Muhammad Hafeez, Imran Nazir, Nasir Jamshed, Misbah ul Haq , Umar Akmal, Kamran Akmal, Asad Shafique, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Junaid, Sohail Tanvir, Aizaz Cheema, Abdur Rehman and Ahmed Shehzad

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  • osama
    Jul 17, 2012 - 3:04PM

    Where is Junaid Khan?

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  • saleem
    Jul 17, 2012 - 3:04PM

    what about Junaid please drop , Mohd Sami , he is a disaster

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  • ZYZE
    Jul 17, 2012 - 3:15PM

    only bad choice is M.Sami.

    He is the only “unfit” in the team.

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  • M
    Jul 17, 2012 - 3:16PM

    While the team seems a good one, I still can’t see the logic of including Sami in the side. Instead Abdur Rehman would have been a better option, considering his left-arm angle and the spinning nature of SL pitches. That aside, the overall team selection seems a promising one!

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  • Jul 17, 2012 - 3:29PM

    Nice to See Imran and Razzaq Back, it means we are gonna have a strong team this year.

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  • memon
    Jul 17, 2012 - 3:29PM

    Hammad Azam is future of Pakistan , Abdul razzaq and Yasir arft is past .

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  • Akbar M. Khan
    Jul 17, 2012 - 3:31PM

    Playing 11 Should Be:

    Muhammad Hafeez
    Imran Nazir
    Asad Shafiq
    Kamran Akmal
    Umar Akmal
    Shoaib Malik
    Abdul Razzaq
    Shahid Afridi
    Sohail Tanveer
    Umar Gul
    Saeed Ajmal

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  • Khalid Javed
    Jul 17, 2012 - 3:33PM

    The players like Imran Nazir & Abdul Razak have immense potentials but somehow they failed to display consistent performance whenever they were given a chance. May be it was due to element of predominant political divide & groupings within the team then.

    Hope this time, both team and the recalled players will learn from the past mistakes and perform with diligence & single-minded in the interest of national cricket. The PCB should ensure a politics free dressing room environment, in addition to giving these veteran cricketers chances.

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  • khalid
    Jul 17, 2012 - 3:41PM

    why yasir arafat?

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  • Nouman
    Jul 17, 2012 - 3:56PM

    Sami and Asad bad Selection. Asad not a T20 Player. We need a Left Hander in the middle. and Sami is a big disappointment, PCB should have select a New fast bowler in T20 like thay did in 2007 and 2009 (Sohail Tanveer and Mohammad Amir were big success then.)

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  • ehsan malik
    Jul 17, 2012 - 3:59PM

    Sami is very bad choice.he is incosistant and conceeds too many runs.Junaid would have been a much better chice.

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  • Sibtain Naqvi
    Jul 17, 2012 - 4:00PM

    Its amazing that out of the thousands of active cricketers PCB keeps slipping back to Sir. Drop-a-lot.

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  • Nouman
    Jul 17, 2012 - 4:03PM

    Imran Nazir
    Nasir Jamshaid
    Hafiz
    Kamran Akmal
    Shoaib Malik
    Umer Akmal
    Shahid Afridi
    Abdul Razaq
    Sohail Tanveer
    Umer Gul
    Saeed Ajmal
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  • adeel qadri
    Jul 17, 2012 - 4:22PM

    Mohammad Sami? why on earth someone will pick Sami? I really dont understand. That guy doesnt have brain… and Shoaib Malik? on what basis? no recent performance. Imran Nazir is positive move though.

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  • Naveed Javed
    Jul 17, 2012 - 4:29PM

    Batting’s Muhammad Sami(Imran nazir) gonna disappoint us for yet another time- Mark my words!

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  • Naveed Javed
    Jul 17, 2012 - 4:33PM

    Sohail Tanvir in all rounders section! HaHa

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  • Aasim Mukhtar
    Jul 17, 2012 - 4:40PM

    This is a real good news. The team looks nicely balanced, but additions of Hamad Azam and Junaid Khan in place of Yasir Arafat and Muhammad Sami could have been a lot better. I think all they need now is to stay united and perform to thier potential. If they succeed in doing so, they have a pretty solid chance of grabbing the trophy this time round.

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  • ZA
    Jul 17, 2012 - 4:44PM

    Shoaib Malik, Yasir Arafat and Kamran Akmal atleast one of them could have been omitted to make place for HAMMAD AZAM.
    Atleast give the poor guy a chance. I remember how maturely he batted in Asia Cup under Pressure against India.
    Just taking him to tours and making him sit on bench won’t polish his talent. Sad how Parchi Prevails above talent.

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  • Ahmee (Pakistani)
    Jul 17, 2012 - 5:10PM

    Junaid Khan is the only missing link i can think of apart from a seasoned/proper batsman which can be filled in by Asad Shafiq for now. Not playing Junaid Khan is a BIG mistake specially after his performances in Srilanka where the world cup is sceduled to be played. Other than that i looks an aggressive unit.

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  • Kamran Karachi
    Jul 17, 2012 - 5:15PM

    The Best of the best!!!! Abdur Razzaq he is the man!

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  • arqum
    Jul 17, 2012 - 5:37PM

    yes we want abdul razzaq, and we do not want sami. keep him away from this. Junaid khan should have been included in place of sami. and Akbar has suggested the beast team for sure.

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  • Ahmed
    Jul 17, 2012 - 5:38PM

    PCB again will keep experimenting. Junaid Khan, Ahmed Shahzad and Hamad Azam are the future of Pakistan cricket but are misssing.If they don’t play how will they learn and when will they play when they are over the hill? Imagine Arafat. Misbah etc. getting opportunities in their prime? Arafat, Sami selection puzzling when last trip proved that only young players delivered when given time not the old timers. Shahzad played very well in SL why drop him ? Umer Gul should be rested as well he needs a break too. Razaq, Malik and Imran nazir are good additions.

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  • AB
    Jul 17, 2012 - 6:04PM

    My Favourite playing 11
    Openers: Ahmed Shehzad & Imran nazir(Will destroy any bowling lineup in 1st 6 overs)
    3.M.Hafeez
    4.Nasir jamshed
    5.U.Akmal
    6.A.Razzaq
    7.K.Akmal
    8.Shahid Afridi
    9.Wahab riaz
    10.Umar gul
    11.Saeed Ajmal

    Unfortunately Ahmed Shehzad and Wahab riaz are not included in the squad.

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  • Jul 17, 2012 - 6:11PM

    Another big challenge for the Professor and very happy on Imran Nazir.

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  • adeel qadri
    Jul 17, 2012 - 6:20PM

    @AB wahab Riaz?? lolz you joking. Junaid Khan will be better choice.

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  • maestro
    Jul 17, 2012 - 6:49PM

    Why shoaib malik and mohammad sami?? kamran also questionable! Where are junaid khan, hammad azam and azhar ali? Keep changing a team around drastically like this before a major tournament and only disaster will follow. Wait n watch!

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  • SS
    Jul 17, 2012 - 7:37PM

    Shezad should be playing instead of Imran Nazir and where are junaid, hammad and azhar ali ?
    We were doing fine without Kamran Akmal……….no need him to play. Umer can do the keeping in 20/20.

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  • Master
    Jul 17, 2012 - 7:40PM

    Shahid , Razzaq , Malik and Kamran please time for you guys to retire. Let the young kids play. Umer Gul you are just barely fit to play 20/20 .. please retire from ODI and Tests.

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  • owais zaman
    Jul 17, 2012 - 8:37PM

    why M.sami???? and instead of him why not junaid khan?? I think this is the only bad selection..

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  • GreenOval
    Jul 17, 2012 - 8:47PM

    As expected Kamran Akmal is back. This proves the power of PURCHEE which can override all sorts of baggages (association with bookies, dirty politics, incompetent keeping). PCB is spending thousands if not millions in acadamies, coaching, talent hunt etc. but, it’s hard to comprehend that there is not one wicket keeper who can represent Pakistan. Resorting back to incompetent Akmal is a worring sign.

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  • HRK
    Jul 17, 2012 - 9:25PM

    Sami and Yasir Arafat should have been Junaid Khan and Hammad Azam instead. Finaly our selectors had the brains to pick a team with hard hitters but at the expense of our strength, which is bowling.

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  • Imran
    Jul 17, 2012 - 9:43PM

    Sami ???? for god sake PCB u r killing me, y not Junaid Khan

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  • Ghufran Ahmed
    Jul 17, 2012 - 9:48PM

    i like the squad very much but where is the young blood in it

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  • ansar
    Jul 17, 2012 - 11:12PM

    yes imran nazeer is good sign for pakistan team

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  • raza
    Jul 17, 2012 - 11:12PM

    Fabulous section inshallah Pakistan again win the T20 world cup

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  • Haseeb
    Jul 18, 2012 - 12:05AM

    if Kamran akmal is there then its all fixed.

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  • farhan
    Jul 18, 2012 - 4:04AM

    Bad news for Pakistan cricket… The drop machine a.k.a kamran akmal is back.

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  • Imran Ahmed
    Jul 18, 2012 - 11:08AM

    very balance team……. but Junaid Khan and Hammad Azam should have been given the chance instead of Sami and Shoaib

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  • Basharat
    Jul 18, 2012 - 12:19PM

    I’m really shocked to see the above comments by few friends. Imran Nazir has the best of the T20 records amongst the whole Pakistan Cricket T20 Squad and yet been criticized. I think its a well balanced side on paper and now it is upto Hafeez to prove how capable he is to utilize all these very talented players. In the past Abdul Razaaq has been misused. I think he should be sent up the order like one down or two down. The playing eleven and the batting order in normal batting conditions should be like this:-

    Mohammad Hafiz
    Imran Nazir
    Shoaib Malik/ Kamran Akmal
    Abdul Razzaq
    Asad Shafiq
    Umar Akmal
    Shahid Afridi
    Yasir Arafat
    Sohail Tanveer
    Umar Gul
    Saeed Ajmal

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  • Basharat
    Jul 18, 2012 - 12:20PM

    Hammad Azam would have been a good choice instead of Mohammad Sami. But unfortunately he is not in the squad.

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  • Jul 19, 2012 - 12:31PM

    I am afraid, Akmal is the only batsman in the whole Pakistan who can bat.
    The biggest mistake is the inclusion of Yasir Arafat. No doubt he is the most successful T20 bowler but a person with very limited sanity would tell you that Yasir Arafat is nothing outside the British conditions. So why our selectors picked him instead of the increasingly talented Junaid Khan.
    And being a bit harsh, Abdul Razzaq is well below his par now and he could prove a burden if he doesnt fire. Hammad Azam could’ve been given chance and confidence…

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  • Firefly
    Jul 19, 2012 - 1:00PM

    KAMRAN AKMAL and SHOAIB MALIK (GREAT BROKERS)
    You may contact with them at any time to FIX ANY MATCH

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  • Firefly
    Jul 19, 2012 - 1:02PM

    SHAHID AFRIDI – A Clever IMPOSTER / Champion of Politics – I still rember what was happend with YOUNUS KHAN.

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  • AB
    Jul 19, 2012 - 8:18PM

    @adeel qadri:
    Why Junaid khan? why not every good bowler in under 16 who takes few wickets.After all it takes only 1 or 2 good innings for a cricketer in Pakistan to become a star and even a 12 year is eligible to play for Pakistan.Just 1 or 2 good matches and then you see Cricket gurus of Pakistan lobbying for that player all over the internet to include him in each and every game as if there would be no team without him.Just get in the eyes of these gurus and the player will no longer require further experience to strenthen himself in batting and bowling and the slightly old guys who are doing good or decent in the team suddenly becomes zero with no place in the team as their place becomes reserved for “Naya Larka”.
    If you like Junaid Khan then please do him a huge favour and let him play only test cricket for a while so that he could strenthen himself & get more experience in this format.When his bowling will get more strong then he will automatically get into the other formats too.Please learn something from M.Amir.No to inclusion of cricketers <20 years old & its time to make specific teams for all 3 formats.Its not neccessary that if a player is performing good in one format then he should be included in other formats too unless there is an empty space to be filled in other formats.We have wasted more talent than we got in our cricket history.

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  • msytreeman
    Jul 19, 2012 - 8:22PM

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-AJtdepZOc&feature=plcp

    Kamran Akmal back after deliberately letting opponents survive. What a shame!

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  • Jul 21, 2012 - 12:09PM

    imran bhi zinda bad

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  • kishor khan
    Jul 28, 2012 - 8:32PM

    Imran nazir, Hafiz , k. Akmal, U.akmal, Afridi, Asad safiq, shoib malik, umar gul, shoil tanvir, ajmal. . . . . . . . And and and i need Mohammad amer :(

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  • faiz
    Sep 9, 2012 - 11:25AM

    why mh sami and malik otherwise good team

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