The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee has named a 15-member Pakistan squad for the series against Afghanistan on Monday. Shadab Khan will lead the side in absence of Babar Azam, who is rested.

“I’ve personally spoken to Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Shah Afridi and discussed our plan, they agreed on taking a rest… you will see them back in the New Zealand series,” said PCB Chairman Najam Sethi while announcing the squad.

“Everyone is on board regarding this positive change,” he added.

The board is concerned about the workload of players. Hence, the board considers this an important decision keeping the future in mind, especially the T20 World Cup in 2024.

“I want to congratulate Shadab on his appointment as the Pakistan team captain for the series against Afghanistan,” Sethi said. “Shadab has been the Pakistan vice-captain in white-ball cricket for the past couple of years and it is logical that he takes over the side in the absence of Babar Azam for the short three-match T20I tour of Sharjah.”

“For the short Sharjah tour and to ensure continuity, we have also appointed Mohammad Yousuf as the interim head and batting coach. Yousuf has been with the national side since last year as a batting coach and has also been working in the National High-Performance Centre.”

Four uncapped players, Tayyab Tahir, Ihsanullah, Zaman Khan, and Saim Ayub are named in the squad, which will play three T20Is on March 24, 26, and 27.

Squad:

Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, and Zaman Khan.

Reserve: Abrar Ahmed, Haseebullah, and Usama Mir (they won’t be travelling with the team).

Pakistan are scheduled to feature in eight ODIs in a lead up to the 50-over Asia Cup 2023 and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, will play in seven ICC World Test Championship matches and appear in 25 T20Is in the build-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 over the next 15 months.