LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Selection Committee is facing serious difficulties finalising the players’ names for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022 and home T20I series against England, sources claimed. According to the details, the committee’s troubles with the batters’ form and the cricketers’ fitness issues hindered the consultation process for the announcement of the national T20 team from being finalized today.

The deadline for announcing the T20 World Cup roster is September 15; however, if the selection committee fails to do so by that date, the PCB will have to appeal to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for an extension. Furthermore, the national players sustaining injuries in the recently-concluded Asia Cup 2022 added further to the misery of the committee, while the ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi could not start bowling in the nets as of yet and is currently undergoing rehabilitation in the United Kingdom (UK).

Reports, however, suggest that the situation may likely be clear today regarding finalizing the squad including the quota of reserve players. Wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed, leg-spinner Usman Qadir, and Zahid Mehmood may receive a call-up for the upcoming England T20Is as Mohammad Rizwan and Mohammad Nawaz are expected to be given rest for the initial fixtures.

Published in The Daily National Courier, September, 15 2022

Like Business on Facebook, follow @DailyNCourier on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.