Pakistan has named its team for the upcoming T20 and ODI series against the West Indies. In a welcome move for fans, star bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is returning to both squads.
The team is also giving a new player a chance—batsman Hasan Nawaz has been called up to the ODI team for the first time. The tour will start with three T20 matches in Florida at the end of July, followed by three ODIs in Trinidad in early August.
Hasan Nawaz gets ODI nod despite mixed T20 start
Nawaz, 22, has experienced a volatile start to his international career. After consecutive ducks in his first two T20Is against New Zealand earlier this year, he responded with a blistering century in his third game — the fastest T20I hundred by a Pakistani.
While consistency remains a challenge, his explosive potential has kept him in the T20 setup. He performed well against Bangladesh in a recent home series but followed up with two more ducks in the return leg.
Now, he finds himself with a fresh opportunity in the 50-over format.
Afridi and Hasan Ali strengthen pace department
Pakistan’s pace attack gets a major shot in the arm with the return of Shaheen Afridi to both squads. His absence was sorely felt during the T20I series in Bangladesh, and the team will be desperate to have their premier strike bowler leading the charge once again.
Hasan Ali also rejoins the T20I setup after a brief absence. He has been active with the Birmingham Bears in England’s T20 Blast and now features in both squads, potentially marking his first ODI appearance since the 2023 World Cup.
On the other hand, pacers Salman Mirza and Abbas Afridi have been dropped after featuring in Bangladesh. Mohammad Nawaz and Hussain Talat have retained their spots across both formats.
Management shifts focus toward T20 cricket
Pakistan has shown a growing focus on the T20 format in recent months, gearing up for the upcoming T20 World Cup. In line with that, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) placed greater emphasis on shorter-format games — even cancelling the ODI leg of a planned series against Bangladesh earlier this year. However, that expanded T20 plan was eventually dropped due to scheduling conflicts.
The West Indies series marks the first time Mike Hesson will lead the side as Pakistan’s white-ball head coach in ODIs. Captain Salman Ali Agha will oversee both formats.
Big names return for crucial tour
Several key players are back in the ODI squad. Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, two of Pakistan’s highest-profile cricketers, will rejoin the side. Naseem Shah is also included in the 50-over setup. Among these, only Afridi finds himself named in both squads.
The team is set to arrive in the United States on July 27, shortly after wrapping up their T20I campaign in Bangladesh. The tour will be a significant test for Pakistan’s new coaching staff and a potential reshaping of their white-ball future.
