Aaqib rescues Haris, Shaheen as PCB reshapes T20 squad

ISLAMABAD: In a last-minute twist on Tuesday, Lahore Qalandars’ Head Coach Aaqib Javed stepped in to prevent the exclusion of Pakistan’s pace spearheads, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, from the national T20 squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour.

Both the speedsters were on the verge of being axed due to their inconsistent performances, but Aaqib’s strong backing ensured they survived the cut at least for now. The prevailing sentiments among the selectors and PCB’s top brass were that Shaheen and Haris needed time off to focus on their fitness and mental resilience. However, Aaqib who has been retained as the interim head coach for the New Zealand series, convinced the decision-makers to keep the duo in the squad for T20 cricket.

“For the time being, I believe we need these two for T20 cricket. We must acknowledge that they have not been at their best in ODIs, where they lack effectiveness. That does not mean they are restricted to T20s only. We will assess their performances before considering them for other formats,” Aaqib stated.

While Shaheen and Haris secured a last-minute reprieve, former captain Babar Azam and veteran wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan were shown the door from the T20 setup. With the T20 World Cup less than a year away, PCB’s think-tank appears to have lost faith in the duo’s conservative approach. Their reluctance to allow younger players to bat up the order reportedly played a major role in the decision.

Pakistan’s new-look T20 squad now features a fresh batting lineup, including Hasan Nawaz (former Lashings Club player), Mohammad Haris, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usman Khan, and Omair Bin Yousaf. These young guns are expected to shoulder the burden of Pakistan’s top and middle order until Saim Ayub recovers from injury to take up the opener’s spot.

Mohammad Rizwan’s lack of capacity as a quick thinking leader of the T20 team also deprived him of the opportunity to lead the team. While Rizwan was never a frontrunner for T20 captaincy, his inability to make quick strategic decisions further diminished his chances. His cautious playing style mirroring that of Babar only reinforced the selectors’ concerns, ultimately costing him a place in the team.

Pakistan’s handling of Saim’s injury has also come under scrutiny. Initial reports suggested he would be fit for the Champions Trophy, then the New Zealand series, but none of those timelines materialised. A scan in London confirmed what many had feared Saim is unlikely to return before PSL X, and even then, he will require at least 100 days post-surgery before playing competitively.

While the selectors have embraced a bold, forward-thinking approach, one glaring omission stands out the absence of a specialist left-arm spinner. With the T20 World Cup set to be played in India and Sri Lanka, Pakistan will desperately need a quality slow bowler. Mehran Mumtaz, widely regarded as a promising young talent, was overlooked despite consistently delivering in backup squads.