Pakistan is the only team that is yet to announce its provisional squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024, and that is the main reason for the fitness of its main pacer Haris Rauf.
With the T20 World Cup 2024 approaching, 19 of the 20 participating teams have announced their squads for the prestigious tournament and are now eyeing the Pakistan cricket team.
A major concern for the Men in Green is the inclusion of Haris Rauf, a key asset in their bowling arsenal, for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, which begins on June 1 in the US and the Caribbean, while the pacemaker has been struggling. with persistent injury problems.
Pakistan faces T20 World Cup 2024 selection dilemma due to Haris Rauf’s fitness
Haris Rauf’s fitness has been a cause of concern for the Pakistan cricket team and has been delaying the announcement of the team by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Reportedly, his fitness has now cast doubt on his participation in the upcoming T20 World Cup. 2024. However, he can only be included in the squad under one condition.
The talented pacer suffered a shoulder dislocation earlier in the year while representing Lahore Qalandars in the PSL 2024. He was named in Pakistan’s squad for the recent T20I series against Ireland but could not play a single match on the tour due to your current fitness problems.
Meanwhile, a report by Pakistani news outlet Geo News claimed that Rauf’s selection for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 depends solely on his ability to prove his full fitness. The Pakistan cricket team management and national selectors are closely monitoring Rauf’s progress and are awaiting the report that he is 100% fit to compete at the international level.
PCB likely to announce T20 World Cup 2024 squad on May 22
Rauf is yet to prove his fitness and play a match since February, and that is why PCB is yet to announce Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup. According to the Geo News report, Pakistani selectors have not yet finalized the 15 players for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.
However, they initially announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against England but are finding it difficult to narrow it down to a 15-member squad for the global event, while Usman Khan, Salman Ali Agha and Hasan Ali are likely to be picked as travel reservations.
Amid these deliberations, Pakistan is expected to reveal its squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup after the conclusion of the first T20I against England on May 22. Notably, Pakistan is placed in Group B along with its arch-rivals India, the United States, Canada and Ireland for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
The Men in Green will kick off their 2024 T20 World Cup campaign against the United States in Texas on June 6, followed by the important clash against India at the Nassau County Stadium in New York on June 9. Pakistan will face Canada on June 11. in New York and Ireland on June 16 in Lauderhill.