PHOTO: AFP
Pakistan’s opening batsman Ahmad Shahzad replaced Khurram Manzoor in the World T20 squad as the Pakistan Cricket Board sent a final squad list to the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday, Express News reported.
Manzoor has been dropped for the upcoming tournament after a disappointing performance in the Asia Cup. He managed to score 11 runs in three innings in the tournament.
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Shahzad was overlooked for the Asia Cup and World T20 but his consistent performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) built pressure on the selectors and the team management to select him.
The 24-year-old Lahore-born opener represented the Men in Green in 40 T20Is, scored 941 at an average of 24.76, and is the only Pakistani to score a century in the shortest format.
The failure of the top-order in Asia Cup, especially Khurram Manzoor’s poor run of form, forced the selectors to rethink their decision.
Karachi-born top-order batsman Khalid Latif is also included in the squad for the mega event. The 30-year-old last played for the Green Shirts in June 2012 against Sri Lanka.
Ahmed Shehzad called up for World T20
Pakisatan are placed in Super 10 (Group 2) alongside hosts India, Australia, New Zealand and Qaulifier 1, which is most likely to be Asia Cup runners-up Bangladesh.
Shahid Afridi's men will play their first match on March 16 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
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Pakistan squad: Shahid Afridi (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Sharjeel Khan, Ahmad Shahzad, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Wahab Riaz, Muhammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan, Khalid Latif, Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Sami
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