Former Pakistan cricketer Waqar Younis recently unveiled his picks for Pakistan‘s squad in the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, slated to be held in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA) from June 1. With his extensive experience of over 300 international matches, Younis offered insights into the composition of Pakistan’s lineup for the prestigious tournament, crucial for their bid to secure the T20 World Cup title.
Waqar Younis reveals Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad picks
Younis’s selections come ahead of the looming deadline on May 1 for the official squad announcement. Currently engaged in commentary duties for the ongoing five-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand, Younis was posed with the question of which players he would favor for the World Cup squad.
Top-order power and middle order assurance
In his envisioned lineup, Younis opted for a formidable top-order trio comprising Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman and Usman Khan, bolstering the batting lineup alongside skipper Babar Azam. Despite Azam Khan‘s absence from the ongoing series due to injury, Younis included him in the middle order, showcasing confidence in his potential return to form and fitness.
“This is what I feel, if they are all fit, I think this is my squad with Babar Azam, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, three openers. Then you got [Mohammad] Rizwan, Usman Khan, I think he needs to go to the World Cup. And then, of course, you have Azam Khan, if you’re going to have two wicketkeepers then he should be in the side as he is another match-winner,” Younis was quoted as saying by Geo Super.
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Spin-oriented approach
When it came to the all-rounders, Younis leaned towards a spin-oriented approach, selecting Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed and Imad Wasim, indicating a strategic preference for versatility and spin options in the squad. Furthermore, Younis fortified the spin arsenal by incorporating wrist spinners Abrar Ahmed and Usama Mir into the mix.
“Iftikhar [Ahmed], Shadab [Khan] definitely comes in the side automatically, Imad Wasim and Abrar [Ahmed], I feel that you’d be needing a mystery spinner, that is why I have gone with him, then Usama Mir, I think Pakistan might need another spinner there in the West Indies and United States,” the 52-year-old added.
Pace prowess
In the pace department, Younis envisioned Shaheen Afridi leading the charge, backed by the seasoned experience of Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir and a recovering Haris Rauf. This selection strategy emphasized Younis’s inclination towards prioritizing experienced campaigners and proven talent over budding prospects like Abbas Afridi and Zaman Khan, who are currently part of the team facing New Zealand but did not secure a spot in Younis’s projected squad for the T20 World Cup.
“And then the four pacers, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir and Haris Rauf, if he is fit,” Waqar concluded.
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