LAHORE: Pakistan’s quest to establish their strongest team for the upcoming T20 World Cup is set to kick off with a three-match series against Bangladesh at Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday. Following their disappointing performance in the last World Cup in the United States, the national team has been actively preparing through a series of overseas tours to Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand.
The team has experimented with two captains, Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha, during these tours but has yet to secure a victory in any of the T20 series, making a staggering 18 changes along the way. The recent arrival of white-ball coach Mike Hesson is anticipated to foster more stability in team selection while broadening the pool of potential players.
Salman, who has taken over the captaincy from Rizwan, emphasized the importance of finalizing a playing XI suited for the World Cup conditions in Sri Lanka. He stated that their objective is to assemble a reserve of 20-25 players to mitigate the impact of any last-minute injuries. “We’re trying different players to ensure we have suitable replacements ready,” he affirmed.
Rizwan’s and another former captain Babar Azam’s exclusions from the squad come as part of a strategic shift towards a more aggressive style of cricket envisioned by Salman and Hesson. Despite their strong contributions over the past four years, the focus is now on introducing a dynamic gameplay that meets modern standards.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, another mainstay of the team, will not be participating as he opted for rest after his success in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). In contrast, Hasan Ali has returned to the squad following impressive performances, and new faces like Sahibzada Farhan have been included due to their contributions during the PSL.
Pakistan’s new captain believes this approach, which emphasizes attacking cricket, is essential to thrive in the current competitive landscape. “We are creating a process for the long term that involves playing fearlessly but wisely,” he noted.
Conversely, Bangladesh approaches the series following an unexpected 2-2 series draw against the United Arab Emirates. Their squad, featuring a mixture of experienced players and newcomers, is led by star batter and captain Litton Das. Although they will miss the seasoned pacer Mustafizur Rahman due to injury, Bangladesh is eager to focus on their own performance and build their roster for the T20 World Cup.
This series is a crucial opportunity for both teams to refine their selections and strategies ahead of the World Cup, with excitement building as each match unfolds at the iconic Gaddafi Stadium.
The first T20 match is scheduled for May 28, with the following games on May 30 and June 1, making this an exciting period for cricket fans as teams lay the groundwork for future success.