New Delhi: Pakistan don’t visualise any role for their former captains Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi in T20Is and are set to exclude them from the squad for the upcoming series against West Indies and Bangladesh.
They are likely to announce the squad next week for the two series that will be played in July-August.
Pakistan Cricket Board selection committee, headed by Aaqib Javed, have already informed the senior trio of its decision, with head coach Mike Hesson being kept in the loop.
They have been told to focus more on the ICC World Test Championship and ODIs as Pakistan look to field more young players in the 20-over format.
Pakistan will fly to the West Indies in the last week of July for three T20Is and three ODIs, after which they will play three T20Is in Bangladesh in August.
They will then host host Afghanistan for a T20 series in late August and begin preparation for the Asia Cup in September, followed by the T20 World Cup early next year.
Pakistan think-tank wants to test the young talented players under new coach Hesson with an eye on the T20 World Cup.
“The idea is that if things go south then the selectors can always go back to Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen,” a PCB source told PTI.
Afridi, Babar ad Rizwan weren’t picked in their last two T2OI series against New Zealand and Bangladesh. But they are yet to make any decision on their T20I careers.
Shaheen captained the Lahore Qalandars to their third Pakistan Super League title in five years while is poised for a first time appearance in the Big Bash for Sydney Sixers.
The PCB have given permission to several players to feature in the BBL during a period between December 28 and late January.
Meanwhile, the PCB is in discussions with Afghanistan to organise a tri-series also involving the UAE in August, in case the Asia Cup is cancelled or postponed.
As Pakistan is unlikely to travel India for the Asia Cup in September, the future of the tournament is uncertain.
“With the Asia Cup now unlikely to be held in India as originally planned in September due to the simmering relations between Pakistan and India, the PCB is working on another tri-series proposal,” a PCB source told PTI.
Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been told to focus more on the ICC World Test Championship and ODIs. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
