Pakistan's T20I Squad for Bangladesh Tour: Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf Ruled Out

Pakistan will field a refreshed T20I squad for their upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh in Mirpur, Dhaka, as key players Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf are sidelined due to injury. The tour, set to run from July 20 to 24, marks another step in Pakistan’s ongoing transition under new leadership and coaching.

Squad Changes: Injuries and New Faces

Allrounder Salman Agha has been appointed captain for the Bangladesh tour, stepping in for Shadab Khan, who is recovering from recent right shoulder surgery. Fast bowler Haris Rauf is also unavailable after sustaining a hamstring injury during the Major League Cricket (MLC) tournament, which has also ruled him out of the San Francisco Unicorns’ playoff matches.

Several familiar names have been left out of this squad, including Irfan Khan Niazi, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim, and Naseem Shah. Hasan Ali, who was the leading wicket-taker during Bangladesh’s last tour of Pakistan, remains in England for county cricket as selectors experiment with new options. Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi are currently being considered for selection in Pakistan’s ODI side.

Introducing Pakistan’s Emerging Talent

The latest squad features a blend of uncapped and relatively inexperienced players. Medium pacer Ahmed Daniyal and left-arm quick Salman Mirza are set for their international debuts, while left-arm wristspinner Sufiyan Muqeem brings experience from just ten T20Is. Top-order batter Hasan Nawaz, who debuted earlier in the year, has made eight T20I appearances and impressed in the recent PSL. Medium pacer Abbas Afridi, who debuted early last year, is the most seasoned among the new faces with 21 T20Is under his belt.

Standout Performances in the PSL

Abbas Afridi: Fourth-highest wicket-taker in the PSL 2024, claiming 17 wickets in 11 innings for Karachi Kings.
Salman Mirza: Took 9 wickets in just 4 matches for Lahore Qalandars.
Hasan Nawaz: Third-highest run-scorer of the tournament, amassing 399 runs in 10 innings for Quetta Gladiators at a strike rate of 162.19.

Strategic Shift Under New Leadership

This series is only the second assignment for Pakistan under the guidance of newly appointed white-ball coach Mike Hesson, as the team looks toward the next T20 World Cup scheduled for early 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. The emphasis on emerging talent signals a forward-thinking approach from the selectors and management as they begin to shape the squad for future campaigns.

Upcoming Fixtures and Future Plans

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the squad for the upcoming white-ball series against West Indies, scheduled for early August in Lauderhill (T20Is) and Tarouba (ODIs), will be confirmed in due course. PCB COO Summer Syed revealed ongoing discussions with Cricket West Indies to potentially convert the ODIs into additional T20Is in preparation for the next T20 World Cup.

Pakistan’s Squad for T20I Series Against Bangladesh

Salman Agha (captain)
Abrar Ahmed
Ahmed Daniyal
Faheem Ashraf
Fakhar Zaman
Hasan Nawaz
Hussain Talat
Khushdil Shah
Abbas Afridi
Mohammad Haris (wk)
Mohammad Nawaz
Sahibzada Farhan (wk)
Saim Ayub
Salman Mirza
Sufiyan Muqeem

With a host of fresh faces and a new captain at the helm, Pakistan’s T20I squad heads to Bangladesh looking to build momentum and broaden its talent pool ahead of major international tournaments.