PCB to announce separate squads for Australia Series and T20 World Cup
By Ali Irzam Malik
Pakistan’s star batsman and former captain Babar Azam is going through a difficult phase, as his poor recent form has put his inclusion in the upcoming Australia series and the ICC T20 World Cup under question. Following his disappointing performances in the Big Bash League (BBL), his selection for both events has been made conditional on performance, and a final decision will be taken after a detailed review.
Babar Azam featured in 11 matches of the BBL, where he managed a modest strike rate of just 103, scoring a total of 202 runs, which failed to impress selectors.
Meanwhile, sources indicate that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is considering forming separate national squads for the Australia series and the T20 World Cup. The Pakistan team for the three-match T20 series against Australia is expected to be announced on January 25, while the T20 World Cup squad is likely to be finalized by January 30.
According to insiders, the T20 World Cup squad will include a blend of senior and young players. Head coach Mike Hesson is currently evaluating the performance and fitness of available national players during an ongoing training camp in Lahore.
After this assessment, the selection committee, in consultation with the head coach and team captain, will finalize the squads.
