Pakistan announces squad for the T20I series against Sri Lanka

The PCB has announced Pakistan’s squad for the 3-match T20I series against Sri Lanka after the conclusion of the ODI series. Sri Lanka have lost both the ODI matches so far after clinching a historic series win the Test format. The switch to the 50-over format hasn’t worked well for the visitors till now. They will have to end on the right side in the third ODI in order to keep the series alive.

The green army will once again be led by Sarfaraz Ahmed. Opener Ahmed Shehzad has been included in the squad after his impressive performance against the World XI team in the Independence Cup, earlier this year.  Pacer Mohammed Amir has also been named in the squad and he will take the field if he passes the fitness test.

The 25-year old had an MRI scan ahead of the series and afterward he was advised 2-3 weeks of rest. The pacer suffered from a stress-related injury in the right shin. The SLC had earlier confirmed their participation in the third and final T20I match, which will take place in Lahore.

“Sri Lanka Cricket today confirmed its commitment to play the third and final T20 game of the ongoing Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, Pakistan on the 29th of October,” said a statement from the Sri Lanka Cricket following its ExCo meeting in Colombo.

“SLC have over the past two months conducted a thorough evaluation with the assistance of the Government of Sri Lanka, the Government of Pakistan, the PCB and independent Security experts and The Executive Committee today (16), evaluated the reports obtained together with the recommendation of the International Cricket Council – which successfully conducted the Independence Cup tournament in Lahore fielding a World XI Team,” said the statement.

“And, having been fully satisfied with the stringent security measures in place, the SLC ExCo unanimously decided to play the 3rd T20 in Lahore on the 29th October,” it added. Sri Lanka’s limited overs skipper Upul Tharanga had earlier made himself unavailable.

“This is a historic moment! I am grateful for the understanding and support given to me by the President of the SLC, my friend Thilanga Sumathipala, who made a pledge two months ago to me during the ACC moot in Colombo, to break the ice and come to Lahore and help Pakistan bring international cricket home, said Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board Najam Sethi. 

Pakistan squad:

Sarfaraz Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shehzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Amir Yamin, Mohammed Amir (subject to fitness), Rumman Raees, Usman Shinwari, Umar Amin