ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selectors are likely to finalise the team formation for back-to-back T20 series against Ireland and England within the next few days as the short training camp is expected to start from May 3 in Lahore.
‘The News’ has learnt that the selectors are waiting for the update on four injured players before finalising team for the series. “We have got enough time at our disposal to finalise a 15-member squad for the World Cup. The ICC has already set a deadline of May 25 to submit names of 15 players (final lineup) for the T20 World Cup. There is no wisdom in announcing the World Cup squad at this point of time. We can avail the opportunity to watch the players’ progress during the Ireland and England series before naming the squad,” a team official when contacted said.
Once the selectors get an update on the players’ fitness, the team for the three-match series will be announced. “Mohammad Rizwan, Azam Khan and Irfan Khan Niazi have almost regained fitness, while Haris Rauf who has yet to play any international or national event since January is yet to regain fitness though he is busy training these days in Lahore. Hopefully, Haris will be considered for selection against Ireland and England.”
Meanwhile, almost 25 Pakistan cricketers and 21 officials have gone through biometrics at the US Embassy on Monday. “Captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Azam Khan already have USA visas while the rest are getting it for the first time or renewing it for the World Cup participation. We have obtained visas of a good number of cricketers mainly because you never know which player would be required during the month-long event in the USA and Caribbean Island.”
During their stay at the US Embassy, the team members met US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome and exchanged views on the forthcoming World Cup and its importance for Pakistan and USA.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim and a few other Pakistan players were also seen bowling and batting to the delight of Embassy employees. Pictures, selfies and autographs were also shared during the team’s stay at the embassy.