Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah return as Pakistan name T20 World Cup squad

The pair missed Pakistan’s recent tours of England and West Indies but have been included in the 15-man squad. Sharjeel Khan and Faheem Ashraf miss out

Men's T20 World Cup 2021 groups announced

Pakistan have named their 15-man squad for the 2021 T20 World Cup.

Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah are the surprise inclusions in the squad after both players missed Pakistan’s recent tours of England and West Indies. 29-year-old Ali’s last international outing was against Zimbabwe in April while Shah hasn’t represented his country since February.

However, there is no place in the squad, which will be led by Babar Azam, for Sharjeel Khan or Faheem Ashraf.

Sarfaraz Ahmed also misses out with Pakistan opting to select Azam Khan as their back-up wicketkeeper. The 23-year-old only made his T20I debut against England in July but is developing a reputation as a destructive middle-order batsman in both the Pakistan Super League and National T20 Cup.

Fakhar Zaman, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir have been named as travelling reserves.

^{Khushdil Shah (L) returns to Pakistan's squad; Azam Khan (R) travels as back-up wicketkeeper}

Explaining his decisions, chief selector Muhammad Wasim said: "Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah may not have impressive numbers against their names but hardly anyone can doubt their tremendous talent and prowess.

"They are the best in the available pool of middle-order batsmen and we remain confident that they will provide us solutions to our middle-order difficulties through solid performances.

"Azam Khan is an aggressive and attacking batter who also keeps wickets, a combination that has earned him the selectors’ nod ahead of Sarfaraz Ahmed."

Addressing Pakistan’s chances to claim their second World T20 crown, he continued: "Our impressive record in the United Arab Emirates, clubbed with the talent we have in our ranks and the well-planned preparations gives me significant confidence that we will perform well in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. All the players now need to do is not to get overawed by the occasion, continue to keep faith in their abilities and try to give something extra each time they step onto the field."

Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign begins on October 24 when they face India in the UAE.

Pakistan’s squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Azam Khan, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood

Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir