Babar, Rizwan face axe from T20s

KARACHI:

The careers of three major pillars of the Pakistani cricket team – Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan – appear to be hanging in the balance as they face selection dilemma for upcoming tours.

Shaheen, Babar, and Rizwan – all once key members of the national team – are now being consistently overlooked, raising questions about the future of their international careers.

Shaheen, 25, has seemingly fallen out of favor with selectors. After being left out of the home series against Bangladesh, he's now also been excluded from the return tour. Sources claim that selector Aaqib Javed cited Shaheen's underwhelming performance in New Zealand, saying he needs to correct his flaws.

Ironically, Shaheen led Lahore Qalandars to a HBL Pakistan Super League title and was the tournament's top wicket-taker with 19 scalps. Aaqib had previously worked with him as part of the same franchise, though their relationship is now said to be strained.

While vacationing in England with his family, Shaheen was called back by selectors, but was then left out of the squad without any prior notice. He reportedly found out through social media.

Some media reports had suggested disciplinary issues as the reason for his omission, but a top PCB official refuted these claims, reiterating that the decision was based purely on cricketing grounds, and that the board had not issued any directive against his selection. "If there were disciplinary issues, he wouldn't have been invited to the training camp either," the official added.

Regarding Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, sources reveal that there is currently no plan to include them in the T20 squad. Coach Mike Hesson has already advised both players that they must adapt their playing approach in the shorter format and show some intent if they hope to make a comeback.

Shaheen, Shadab Khan, and Salman Ali Agha are reportedly part of Mike Hesson's "core team", but will be rested periodically as part of a rotation policy. Shaheen might still be in contention for the upcoming West Indies tour, while Babar and Rizwan may be considered for the ODI squad.

It's worth noting that Shadab is currently sidelined due to surgery, and the PCB is still in discussions to convert all three ODIs against the West Indies into T20 matches. If that happens, Babar and Rizwan's return could be delayed even further.

Recently, in a media briefing, Coach Hesson said that Shaheen needs to improve his performance. He also dismissed rumors suggesting he had asked Babar Azam to take on wicketkeeping duties to re-enter the team. According to sources, these rumors were likely spread by "social media warriors" trying to drum up public support for the sidelined players.

Pakistan Shaheens squad named for Eng tour

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced an 18-member squad for the Pakistan Shaheens' upcoming multi-format tour of England, scheduled to begin later this month. The tour will run from July 17 to August 6.

Left-handed batter Saud Shakeel has been named captain and will lead a team that includes three other Test players: fast bowler Musa Khan, left-arm pacer Mir Hamza, and off-spinner Sajid Khan.

The squad also features 14 emerging players, 11 of whom are under the age of 25. Among them are the top scorers from the most recent Quaid-e-Azam Trophy - Azan Awais and Maaz Sadaqat - along with Ali Zaryab, Haider Ali, Mohammad Suleman, Omair Bin Yousuf, and Shamyl Hussain, who strengthen the batting lineup.

Rohail Nazir will serve as the wicketkeeper for the tour. The pace attack includes Mushtaq Ahmed, Shahid Aziz, and Ubaid Shah, while the spin department will be led by Sajid Khan, with support from Faisal Akram, Mehran Mumtaz, and Mubasir Khan.

The team will assemble for a training camp at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre in Karachi before flying out to England on July 16. The final schedule and venues for the matches will be shared by the PCB in due course.

Pakistan Shaheens squad:

Saud Shakeel (captain), Ali Zaryab, Azan Awais, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Suleman, Mubasir Khan, Musa Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Omair Bin Yousuf, Rohail Nazir (wk), Sajid Khan, Shahid Aziz, Shamyl Hussain, Ubaid Shah.