T20 WC: Here's why Pak have delayed the announcement of squad

NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (

PCB

) has postponed the unveiling of its

T20 World Cup

squad until late May, citing fitness and performance concerns surrounding certain players.
A PCB source disclosed that Pakistan intend to reveal its World Cup squad either on May 23 or 24, in adherence to the ICC's deadline for teams to adjust their squads without consulting the WC Technical Committee.

The management and selectors are closely monitoring the niggling injuries of

Muhammad Rizwan

,

Azam Khan

,

Irfan Khan Niazi

, and

Haris Rauf

. Their performances, alongside others, during the tours of Ireland and England will be scrutinised before finalising the squad.
The selectors will first announce the squad for the forthcoming tours, after which the team management and selectors will evaluate the fitness and performance of the chosen players before making the World Cup squad public.

India, Australia, England, South Africa, New Zealand have all announced their WC squads until now.
"It (delay) doesn't matter because all these teams can change their entire squad by 24th May after that changes can only be allowed on fitness or injury basis with approval of the technical committee," he said.
"That is why the PCB and selectors have decided to hold off until after the first match in England."
Additionally, the source emphasised that the selectors aim to provide

Babar Azam

and other players with ample time to re-establish their camaraderie and cohesion in the dressing room before unveiling the World Cup squad.
This extended period will enable the team to foster the kind of unity and synergy crucial for a successful campaign. The selectors are keen on creating an environment where players feel comfortable and connected, laying a strong foundation for the challenges ahead in the World Cup.
"For the time being we have sent a provisional squad to the ICC for public relations and promotion purposes," the source said.
Probable squad for Ireland and England series: Babar Azam (Capt), Muhammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Usama Mir, Abrar Ahmed, Muhammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Abbas Afridi and Aamir Jamal.
(With PTI inputs)