Pakistan have announced a 16-man squad for their upcoming ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League series against West Indies, starting from 8th June.

Their regular captain Babar Azam will lead the side, while Shadab Khan, who missed the ODI series against Australia due to an injury, will return as a vice-captain.

Muhammad Wasim, Pakistan’s Chief Selector, said that the squad has been picked keeping the direct qualification for the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in mind.

“As the ODIs against the West Indies are part of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 qualification, we have decided to give best chance to our side to collect maximum points and strengthen our chances of progressing directly for the pinnacle 50-over tournament,” said Wasim.

“We have retained the same core of players so they further establish themselves in the format. I hope this bunch will continue the form they gained from the Australia series,” said Muhammad Wasim.

Missing from the list are Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Haider Ali and Usman Qadir, while Saud Shakeel was also not considered due to a scheduled surgery for sinusitis.

Wasim added that the players that are not a part of the squad for the West Indies leg form a part of their planning for this year’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia.

Pakistan are currently ninth in the CWCSL Standings and will be hoping to improve their position to stay in contention for next’s year ODI World Cup.

Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani and Zahid Mahmood