Hasan Ali returns for Ireland, England T20Is

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Pakistan have recalled pacer Hasan Ali in their 18-man squad for the seven T20Is they will play on their tour of Ireland and England. Salman Ali Agha, the 30-year-old offspinning allrounder who is uncapped in the T20I format, gets a call-up too.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the World Cup squad will be picked from among these 18 players and announced after the first T20I against England, which is scheduled for May 22. The ICC deadline for the same is May 24.

Squad: Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan

Also back in the squad are fit-again Haris Rauf and Azam Khan who missed the T20I series against New Zealand recently.

There was no place in the squad for wrist spinner Usama Mir and pacer Zaman Khan.

Hasan Ali, who last played a T20I for Pakistan in September 2022, came back into reckoning with solid performances in the Pakistan Super League, which saw him pick 14 wickets, at par with Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi in the season.

Agha Salman's inclusion revolves around his spin-bowling capabilities on what could be slow pitches in the Caribbean and the USA. He will pair with fellow spinners Abrar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan in the squad.

Mohammad Amir and Wasim, who were called back in the recently-concluded home series against New Zealand, retained their spots and will be keen to put compelling performances in the four T20Is before the squad is pruned down to 15.

"Crafting this squad was a challenging task due to the outstanding talent available. After thorough deliberation and considering various cricketing aspects, we have finalised these 18 players," the PCB release quoted the Men's National Selection Committee as saying.

"The squad encompasses a robust top-order featuring Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Usman Khan; an effective middle-order with Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed and Muhammad Irfan Khan; versatile all-rounders in Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan and Salman Ali Agha; a pace battery led by Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi; and the spin prowess of Abrar Ahmed.

"We understand Usama and Zaman will be disappointed and they should be as they must be looking ahead to the tours of Ireland and England. They are quality cricketers and have long careers ahead of them. They need to continue to focus on their cricket so that they are available, if required."

The team is set to depart for Dublin on May 7 following a three-day training camp in Lahore from 4-6 May.