Former Pakistan cricketer and veteran bowler Waqar Younis has given his preferred selection for Pakistan to the T20 WC 2024. The cricketer-turned-commentator commented about Pakistan’s squad and the likely best names to feature ahead of their May 1 official selection deadline.
Who are Waqar Younis Favourites for Pakistan at the T20 WC 2024?
Top and middle order players
Waqar suggests that Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selectors should pick fit players ahead of sentiments. The commentator believes players like Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and other should man the top and middle-order batting department for Pakistan:
“This is what I feel, if they are all fit, I think this is my squad with Babar Azam, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, three openers. Then you got [Mohammad] Rizwan, Usman Khan, I think he needs to go to the World Cup. And then, of course, you have Azam Khan, if you’re going to have two wicketkeepers then he should be in the side as he is another match-winner,” he said.
Spin bowlers
Younis believes that players like Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, and others can provide much-needed bowling attacks for Pakistan:
“Iftikhar [Ahmed], Shadab [Khan] definitely comes in the side automatically, Imad Wasim and Abrar [Ahmed], I feel that you’d be needing a mystery spinner, that is why I have gone with him, then Usama Mir, I think Pakistan might need another spinner there in the West Indies and United States,” Waqar added.
Pace bowlers
Pakistan has a wealth of pace bowling attackers in their potential squad. Waqar believes that players like Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Amir should make the cut for Pakistan at the T20 WC 2024:
“And then the four pacers, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir and Haris Rauf, if he is fit,”
Wahab Riaz Predicted 15-Man Squad for T20 World Cup 2024
Babar Azam (C), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan
What Does Wahab Riaz Have to Say About Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim?
Current Pakistan senior cricket team manager Wahab Riaz has nothing but admiration for Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim:
“Both Amir and Imad possess undeniable match-winning capabilities, and we trust they will consistently deliver strong performances to bolster the team’s objectives.” Riaz said.
He spoke during an interview when Pakistan faced New Zealand in the 2024 series. Riaz hopes the entire team gets to adopt a strong approach to the game as their next T20 WC campaign draws closer:
“As we prepare for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies, this series [Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series] holds significant importance for Pakistan. … we aim to introspect and identify areas for improvement. I anticipate that players will seize the opportunities presented to strengthen their claims for the World Cup.” the coach concluded.
Pakistan Squad T20I series against Ireland and England
Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan.
Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 Group Schedule
| Date | Versus | Match No. | Group | Venue |
| Jun 06 2024 | United States vs Pakistan | 11th Match | Group A | Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas |
| Jun 09 2024 | India vs Pakistan | 19th Match | Group A | Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York |
| Jun 11 2024 | Pakistan vs Canada | 22nd Match | Group A | Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York |
| Jun 16 2024 | Pakistan vs Ireland | 36th Match | Group A | Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground, Lauderhill Florida |
Waqar Younis Career Stats
Waqar Younis Bowling Stats
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | Balls | Runs | Wkts | BBI | BBM | Ave | Econ | SR | 4w | 5w | 10w |
| Tests | 87 | 154 | 16224 | 8788 | 373 | 7/76 | 13/135 | 23.56 | 3.25 | 43.4 | 28 | 22 | 5 |
| ODIs | 262 | 258 | 12698 | 9919 | 416 | 7/36 | 7/36 | 23.84 | 4.68 | 30.5 | 14 | 13 | 0 |
| FC | 228 | – | 39182 | 21350 | 956 | 8/17 | – | 22.33 | 3.26 | 40.9 | – | 63 | 14 |
| List A | 411 | – | 19811 | 15083 | 674 | 7/36 | 7/36 | 22.37 | 4.56 | 29.3 | 27 | 17 | 0 |
| T20s | 7 | 7 | 156 | 181 | 5 | 3/21 | 3/21 | 36.2 | 6.96 | 31.2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Waqar Younis Batting and Fielding Stats
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
| Tests | 87 | 120 | 21 | 1010 | 45 | 10.2 | 2106 | 47.95 | 0 | 0 | 133 | 16 | 18 | 0 |
| ODIs | 262 | 139 | 45 | 969 | 37 | 10.3 | 1445 | 67.05 | 0 | 0 | 58 | 21 | 35 | 0 |
| FC | 228 | 283 | 61 | 2972 | 64 | 13.38 | – | – | 0 | 6 | – | – | 58 | 0 |
| List A | 411 | 215 | 66 | 1553 | 45 | 10.42 | – | – | 0 | 0 | – | – | 56 | 0 |
| T20s | 7 | 3 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 120 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
