- Final squad consultation happening this week.
- Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi expected to feature.
- Sahibzada Farhan, Khawaja Nafay also potential picks.
The Pakistan national cricket team management is gearing up for a crucial week of decision-making, with the final consultation for the squad selection for the upcoming World Cup and the home series against Australia scheduled to take place. This vital process aims to finalize the lineup that will represent Pakistan in these major cricketing assignments.
According to claims made by seasoned sports journalist Qadir Khawaja, citing sources on his X account, the discussions include a wide array of talent, mixing established stars with promising newcomers. Khawaja’s report provided a list of probable players currently under consideration for the main squad. The expected list features core senior players whose inclusion is widely anticipated, including former captain Babar Azam, all-rounder Shadab Khan, and the key pace attack spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf.
Complementing the bowling attack, the spinning unit is likely to include Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed. The batting department is also seeing competitive inclusion, with Fakhar Zaman leading the established openers. Interestingly, the source highlighted several emerging talents who might secure their spot. These include Salman Ali Agha, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, and Usman Khan. Additionally, two relatively lesser-known names, Salman Mirza and Khawaja Nafay, are also listed among the possible players who could make the final cut.
Other players mentioned in the probable squad are Faheem Ashraf. The presence of players like Salman Ali Agha and Sahibzada Farhan suggests the selectors are considering form and performance in recent domestic and international outings. The final discussions will also address the composition of the reserve list. Qadir Khawaja reported that Abdul Samad, Wasim Junior, and Usman Tariq are strong candidates for the reserve players group, available to step in should any injuries or unexpected changes occur. This final consultation this week signifies the last critical phase before the official squad announcement, aiming to create a balanced unit capable of performing on the global stage and against a formidable opponent like Australia. The focus remains on strategic selection to ensure Pakistan fields its strongest possible side, as reported by sources familiar with the process.