The PCB are "receiving encouraging reports" regarding Shaheen Shah Afridi's fitness, leading to him being included in the 15-strong group alongside Shan Masood, who wins his maiden call-up
Shaheen Shah Afridi has been included in Pakistan's T20 World Cup squad as he recovers from a right knee ligament injury.
The 22-year-old missed the Asia Cup after suffering the problem during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Mohammad Wasim was absent from the tournament in the United Arab Emirates with a side strain but is also included.
But there is no place for Fakhar Zaman after he suffered a knee injury in the final defeat to Sri Lanka, forcing him to settle for a place on the reserve list.
Shan Masood's decision to play in the National T20 Cup has been rewarded with a call-up, aged 32. The left-hander is uncapped in T20I cricket and could make his debut in the England series starting next week.
Fakhar, Mohammad Haris and Shahnawaz Dahani have been named as the three travelling reserves to Australia.
Pakistan squad for New Zealand and Bangladesh tri-series and T20 World Cup
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usman Qadir
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani
Pakistan squad for England series
Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Aamir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Usman Qadir
The same squad, captained by Babar Azam, will also feature in the T20I tri-series against Bangladesh and New Zealand from October 7-14.
Afridi is currently having treatment on his knee injury in London and is planning to join up with the remainder of the squad in Brisbane on October 15.
Much of the group have also been named to face England in seven T20Is starting next week. Fakhar and Afridi are missing but there are first international call-ups for allrounder Aamir Jamal and mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed.
Chief selector Muhammad Wasim said: "We have a team that can perform strongly in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022. That's why we have shown faith and confidence in almost the same set of players who have been part of the T20I squad post the 2021 World Cup in the UAE.
Shaheen faces a race against time to be fit for the tournament (ARIF ALI/AFP via Getty Images)
"These players have performed well since November 2021 and that's why we have won nine out of our last 13 T20Is.
"We have invested in these cricketers and it is fair to them that they get the opportunity to show their mettle in the World Cup, an event for which they have been preparing and training hard.
"We needed to ensure continuity and support to these players, and that's precisely what we have done.
"We are receiving encouraging reports about Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is likely to resume bowling early next month.
"Both Aamir and Abrar have been selected as we believe they have the skills, talent and potential to represent Pakistan at the highest level and I am hopeful if they get opportunities, they will perform strongly."
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.