LAHORE: Among bundle of speculations and rumours, Pakistan Cricket Board has finalised its squad for World Twenty20 with just one change in its Asia Cup T20 squad.
Out of form Khurram manzoor lost his place, filled by Ahmed Shehzad when PCB sent its amended squad to International Cricket Council on Monday.
Salman Butt, who was so closed to get picked for the mega event, backed by chief selector Haroon Rasheed and head coach Waqar Younis, could not get skipper Afridi’s vote and hence lost his chance of Pakistan comeback by inches.
Afridi, who reportedly had had an exchange of harsh words with Waqar Younis over selection of Sharjeel khan, Mohammad Sami and Khurram Manzoor in Asia Cup squad, had openly refused to keep Butt in his team.
Right arm opening batsman Mohammad hafeez has also expressed his concerns playing alongside tainted players including Mohammad Amir, Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif.
The 24-year-old Lahore-born opener represented the Men in Green in 40 T20Is, scored 941 at an average of 24.76, and is the only Pakistani to score a century in the shortest format.
The failure of the top-order in Asia Cup, especially Khurram Manzoor’s poor run of form, forced the selectors to rethink their decision.
Pakisatan are placed in Super 10 (Group 2) alongside hosts India, Australia, New Zealand and Qaulifier 1, which is most likely to be Asia Cup runners-up Bangladesh.
Shahid Afridi’s men will play their first match on March 16 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Pakistan squad: Shahid Afridi (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Sharjeel Khan, Ahmad Shahzad, Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Imad Wasim, Anwar Ali, Wahab Riaz, Muhammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan, Khalid Latif, Mohammad Nawaz, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Sami
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