After concluding their five-match T20I series against New Zealand, Pakistan skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi shared a major update regarding the Men in Green, stating that they have sorted out 16 to 20 players for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Shaheen took over as the skipper of the Pakistan side after talisman batter Babar Azam stepped down after their disappointing campaign in the 2023 ODI World Cup.
Today, his side clinched a comfortable 42-run win over New Zealand in the last T20I of their five-match series.
The experienced off-break spinner, Iftikhar bagged the Player of the Match award for his game-changing spell of 3-24.
Iftikhar shone with his off-spin on a track that tended to fall on the slower side. After the game, Shaheen hailed the veteran spinner for his contribution and that the team has sorted out players for the World Cup which is slated to begin in June later this year.
“Ifti (Iftikhar) is a very experienced player and he’s always ready for bowling but we wanted to give everyone a proper chance so we were planning to give chances to youngsters this series, we sorted out 16-20 players (for the World Cup). I want to thank everyone, the crowd was fantastic,” Shaheen said after the game.
Pakistan, who clinched the T20 World Cup in 2009, will be vying to put an end to their trophy drought.
Pakistan has been a phenomenal performer in the last two T20 World Cup tournaments. Pakistan reached the semi-final in the 2021 edition and ended as runner-up in the previous edition in 2022. Pakistan will aim for another incredible show in the ICC T20 World Cup this year.
The Shaheen Shah-led faction will also be looking to avenge their loss in the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup against England, and hopefully seal the deal this time around.
Pakistan is part of group A in the tournament with teams like India, Ireland United States, and Canada in their pool.
The Men in Green will start off their campaign against the United States of America on June 6. But, their real challenge will arise when they face off against rivals India on June 9.
(inputs from agencies)
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