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The Pakistan Cricket Board on July 15 decided to reduce duration of its central contracts from three years to one but opted against reducing payment to its players.

The decisions were taken during a meeting in Lahore called by PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

Among those present in the meeting were Pakistan’s new red-ball coach Jason Gillespie, white-ball coach Gary Kirsten, selectors Mohammad Yousuf and Asad Shafiq, assistant coach Azhar Mahmood and other senior officials.

The board said it intends to make significant overhauls to its policies after the national team’s debacle in the T20 World Cup, wherein Pakistan failed to make the Super Eight stage following defeats to India and the USA.

“The selectors have recommended no change in the financial part of the central contracts which would now be revised into 12-month contracts with players fitness, behaviour and form all to be assessed every 12 months,” a board official said.

Last year, the former PCB chairman Zaka Ashraf had an agreement with the players following which they were issued central contracts guaranteeing no change in agreement clauses and financials for a period of three years.

The official said PCB has now made it mandatory for all centrally and domestic contracted players to undergo fitness tests every three months. The two head coaches would regulate the tests.

It was also decided that while considering player applications to obtain NOCs to play foreign leagues, stringent technical guidelines would be followed wherein the primary objective would be to ensure the player’s fitness and availability for the national team.

“Only (those) players with a high fitness and performance criteria will receive NOCs, ensuring a high standard of representation in international leagues,” the official said.

It was decided in the meeting that all players will have to appear in domestic cricket mandatorily and selectors have been asked to monitor this before selecting any player for the national teams.

The official said everyone present in the meeting unanimously decided that there should be zero tolerance on disciplinary cases and instances of player making groups will be met with strict penalties, in order to uphold team unity and morale.

Plans are also underway to upgrade the high-performance centres nationwide to bolster grassroots cricket.

New centres in Islamabad and Peshawar are set to be established with Gillespie and Kirsten tasked to oversee these initiatives.

Pakistan’s fast bowler Haris Rauf has been retained for the ICC Twenty20 World Cup squad.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images

Pakistan retained fast bowler Haris Rauf when announcing on May 24 their 15-man squad for the Twenty20 World Cup, despite doubts over his fitness and lack of match practice.

The 30-year-old injured his shoulder during Pakistan Super League in February and is expected to play in the second Twenty20 international in Birmingham on Saturday — his first outing since recovery.

Pakistan Cricket Board’s selection committee said Rauf is fit and raring to go.

“Rauf is full fit and bowling well in the nets,” said a PCB release. “It would have been nice if he had gotten an outing in the first match at Headingley but we remain confident that he will continue to maintain an upward trajectory in the coming matches.”

The Headingley match between Pakistan and England was abandoned due to rain.

Pakistan is the 20th and the last team to announce the squad as they continued to search for combination since their 2-2 series draw at home against New Zealand last month.

Babar Azam will lead the squad in the World Cup, his third T20 World Cup as skipper.

The tournament will run from June 1 to June 29 and be jointly hosted by the United States and West Indies.

Teams are divided in four groups of five with the top two teams qualifying for the Super Eight Stage in which all matches will be played in the West Indies.

Pakistan’s Group A includes arch rivals India as well as Canada and Ireland.

Pakistan will face United States in their first match in Dallas on June 6.

Fast bowler Hasan Ali, as well as batters Agha Salman and Muhammad Irfan Khan were left off the squad.

Fast bowler Mohammad Amir — the only survivour of Pakistan’s 2009 Twenty20 World Cup triumph — is meanwhile staging a comeback after coming out of retirement two months ago.

He is part of a strong pace attack spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Rauf, Naseem Shah and Abbas Afridi.

Pakistan lost in the semi-final of the 2021 Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and in the final in Australia in 2022.

The squad

Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.

Pakistan, known for its resilience, scripted a much-needed turnaround by thumping Bangladesh by seven wickets and recorded its third victory to stay in the World Cup semifinal race at the Eden Gardens here on Tuesday.

Electing to bat on a dry pitch, Bangladesh did not last the 50 overs for the fourth time in its last six innings as it stuttered to 204 with Shaheen Afridi capturing three crucial wickets. Openers Fakhar Zaman and Shafique Abdullah’s authoritative half-centuries enabled the former champion to easily achieve the modest target and end its four-match losing streak.

The left-right combination of Zaman and Shafique got used to the track before toying with the dispirited Bangladesh bowlers to erect a 128-run stand.

In the one-sided sub-continental duel, Zaman (81), who made an emphatic return after over three weeks by clobbering seven spectacular sixes, mostly on the onside, and one stunningly over third-man, and Shafique (68), who hammered Mustafizur Rahman for three fours in an over, entertained nearly 28,000 spectators with some T20 stuff.

Mehidy Hasan Miraz took all three Pakistan wickets but couldn’t prevent the inevitable.

Bangladesh’s PowerPlay woes continued as it lost three wickets for 23.

Leading Pakistan’s pace pack, Afridi displayed good control and extracted seam movement to provide early breakthroughs, giving away too little. He trapped opener Tanzid Hasan lbw in the first over to become the fastest Pakistani bowler to log 100 wickets and had Najmul Shanto caught by a diving Usama Mir at short mid-wicket in the third.

After being hit for three fours, Haris Rauf was relieved to have Mushfiqur Rahim caught behind.

A focused Litton (45) and a confident Mahmudullah (56) revived the innings. The duo’s sensible shot selection and rotation of strike forged The Tigers’ best partnership, 79 off 89 deliveries.

Mahmudullah dominated the off-side and pulled Usama for a massive six. Litton, who impressed by consecutively driving Rauf on either side of the stumps to the boundary, executed his cuts and drives well.

Iftikhar got rid of Litton to break the partnership resulting in Bangladesh’s decelerated run rate.

Afridi returned to bowl a beauty from round the wicket and remove Mahmudullah.

Bangladesh skipper Shakib Al Hasan began watchfully before switching gears. A rising delivery ended his 76-ball 43 and gave Rauf a moment of joy. Mohammad Wasim cleaned up the Bangladesh tail.

Bangladesh’s sixth back-to-back defeat let down its emotional fans who had to endure the pain of their team’s formal exit.

Scoreboard

BANGLADESH INNINGS: Tanzid Hasan lbw b Afridi 0 (5b), Litton Das c Salman b Iftikhar 45 (64b, 6×4), Najmul Hossain Shanto c Usama b Afridi 4 (3b, 1×4), Mushfiqur Rahim c Rizwan b Rauf 5 (8b, 1×4), Mahmudullah b Afridi 56 (70b, 6×4, 1×6), Shakib Al Hasan c Salman b Rauf 43 (64b, 4×4), Towhid Hridoy c Iftikhar b Usama 7 (3b, 1×4), Mehidy Hasan Miraz b Wasim 25 (30b, 1×4, 1×6), Taskin Ahmed b Wasim 6 (13b), Mustafizur Rahman b Wasim 3 (7b), Shoriful Islam (not out) 1 (4b); Extras (lb-4, w-5): 9

Total (in 45.1 overs): 204.

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-0 (Tanzid, 0.5 overs), 2-6 (Najmul, 2.4), 3-23 (Mushfiqur, 5.6), 4-102 (Litton, 20.5), 5-130 (Mahmudullah, 30.4), 6-140 (Hridoy, 31.3), 7-185 (Shakib, 39.3), 8-200 (Mehidy, 43.1), 9-201 (Taskin, 43.3).

PAKISTAN BOWLING: Afridi 9-1-23-3, Iftikhar 10-0-44-1, Rauf 8-0-36-2, Wasim 8.1-1-31-3, Usama 10-0-66-1.

PAKISTAN INNINGS: Abdullah Shafique lbw b Mehidy 68 (69b, 9×4, 2×6), Fakhar Zaman c Hridoy b Mehidy 81 (74b, 3×4, 7×6), Babar Azam c Mahmudullah b Mehidy 9 (16b, 1×4), Mohammad Rizwan (not out) 26 (21b, 4×4), Iftikhar Ahmed (not out) 17 (15b, 2×4); Extras (lb-2, w-2): 4

Total (for three wkts. in 32.3 overs): 205.

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-128 (Shafique, 21.1), 2-160 (Babar, 25.4), 3-169 (Fakhar, 27.3).

BANGLADESH BOWLING: Taskin 6-1-36-0, Shoriful 4-1-25-0, Mehidy 9-0-60-3, Mustafizur 7-0-47-0, Shakib 5.3-0-30-0, Najmul 1-0-5-0.

Toss: Bangladesh.

PoM: Fakhar Zaman.

Pakistan won by seven wickets with 105 deliveries to spare.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has scored only two fifties in this World Cup. His captaincy has been questioned and he has faced accusations of lacking aggression in field settings
| Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

Pakistan’s chances of making the semifinals of the Cricket World Cup are on a knife-edge after their eight-wicket defeat to Afghanistan.

It was the team’s third successive loss at the tournament after two opening wins.

AFP Sport looks at three problem areas for Babar Azam’s faltering team:

World class bowling looks ordinary

Pakistan’s bowling was touted as world class before the Asia Cup and when they restricted a strong India side to 266 all out in a washed out game at Pallekele, commentators saw it as a major warning to World Cup rivals.

But two weeks before the showpiece event, key fast bowler Naseem Shah was ruled out with a shoulder injury.

Spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has 10 wickets in five games in India but has failed to make an early impact — his 2-36 against India and 5-54 facing Australia came in losing causes. In the opening wins over Netherlands and Sri Lanka, he managed two wickets at a combined cost of 103 runs.

Haris Rauf has leaked runs, conceding 286 in five games for eight wickets while the spinners have lacked bite on the slow and turning pitches of India. Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Mohammad Nawaz and Iftikhar Ahmed have just six wickets in five matches between them, conceding 502 runs.

Captaincy in question

Babar Azam is one of the top batsmen in white ball cricket — he has two fifties at the World Cup — but his captaincy has been questioned and he has faced accusations of lacking aggression in field settings.

Pakistan media have consistently accused him of favouring his friends in selection.

“As far as captaincy is concerned, I don’t have much pressure on me or on my batting. I try to give my best in batting,” Babar said after Monday’s loss to Afghanistan.

“During fielding, I think about captaincy and during batting I just think about the batting.”

Babar has won some sympathy in India for his team having to play in front of crowds where Pakistan fans have been effectively banned.

Tight security has also meant that the squad is virtually confined to their hotels once their playing and training commitments are completed.

Lack of planning

There have been frequent, unsettling changes in the the Pakistan Cricket Board set-up — three chairmen in the past year — which hurt planning for the World Cup.

Former chairman Najam Sethi brought in Mickey Arthur as team director but he also kept his Derbyshire county job in England.

Directing the team from the UK, he was criticised in some media as a “Zoom coach.”

Pakistan officials have also been accused of failing to manage the workload of their fast bowlers with Naseem and Shaheen playing all three formats.

Naseem’s most obvious replacements, Ihsanullah and Mohammad Hasnain were also unfit, forcing Pakistan to recall Hasan Ali.

“You were not able to find a coach and since you liked foreign ones you hired an online coach. We change our system frequently and that is showing in our performance in the World Cup,” said former Pakistan great Wasim Akram.

Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam reacts after his team’s defeat during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match against Afghanistan in Chennai on October 23, 2023.
| Photo Credit: AP

A disappointed Pakistan captain Babar Azam on Monday admitted that his side’s bowling attack was not up to the mark after Afghanistan beat them by eight wickets in yet another World Cup upset in Chennai.

Afghanistan chased down the target of 283 with six balls to spare with openers Ibrahim Zadran (87 off 113 balls) and Rahmanullah Gurbaz (65 off 53 balls) setting up the win.

One-down Rahmat Shah and captain Hashmatullah Shahidi chipped in with 77 not out and 48 not out respectively as Afghanistan continued their giant-killing spree. They had shocked defending champions England earlier in the tournament.

The stunning loss literally pushed Pakistan on the brink of elimination.

“We had a good total, but in bowling, we were not up to the mark because we weren’t taking wickets in the middle overs,” Babar said at the post-match presentation.

“In a World Cup, if you are not good even in one department, you lose. We started well while bowling, but we couldn’t take wickets.” He gave credit to Afghanistan for the win.

“We are not playing good cricket, (especially) in bowling and fielding,” he said.

“The pitch was helping the spinners even in the second innings. There was no pressure on their batsmen.” Afghanistan captain Hashmatullah Shahidi said the win “tastes nice”.

“The way we chased today, was very professional. We have been quality cricket from a couple of years. We will try our best to play positive cricket, and do a lot for our country.

“Today, bowling was very good, especially spin bowling. We gave a chance to Noor, and he showed. The game was in our hands from the beginning till the end.” Ibrahim Zadran, who was named Player of the Match for his 87 in Afghanistan’s run chase, said he played with a positive intent.

“Thankful that I performed well in this event. I wanted to play with a positive intent,” he said.

“Many times Gurbaz and I have done a brilliant partnership together. We have played a lot of cricket together, right from the Under-16 days. I am feeling very glad for myself and for my country.” Former captain and senior player Mohammad Nabi said the win was a big moment for the whole of Afghanistan, having lost every game that they played against the bitter rivals from 2012.

“We have played eight games against Pakistan, and won in a big event. It’s a lovely moment today. We beat England as well, and now Pakistan. The team is confident now.

“(Earlier) in the last moments, we used to lose the game (to Pakistan). We thought it was the same wicket like against New Zealand, but it was totally changed.

“A lot of close games, and this is a fantastic feeling. We shouldn’t have lost against Bangladesh. But now half the tournament is gone.”

Pakistan opening batsman Saeed Anwar is seen during his monumental knock of 194 against India in Chennai on May 21, 1997.
| Photo Credit: The Hindu ArchivesN

Pakistan opener Imam-ul-Haq will channel the spirit of record-setting compatriot Saeed Anwar and his country’s winning relationship with Chennai on October 23 in an effort to revive the team’s World Cup campaign.

Pakistan tackle Afghanistan at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium where in 1997, flamboyant left-handed opener Anwar hit a monumental 194 against India.

At the time it was the highest individual ODI score while Anwar’s heroics also gave Pakistan a 35-run win over their arch-rivals.

Pakistan maintained their two-game undefeated run at the stadium with a six-wicket win over India in 2012.

“We have a great record at this venue, so I am sure that will be a motivation,” said Haq, who was only two when Anwar blitzed the India team which featured the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid in 1997.

“Although I don’t have any memory of Saeed Anwar’s record, that too will be a motivation.”

Pakistan started the World Cup with wins over the Netherlands and Sri Lanka but the 1992 champions then suffered back-to-back losses to India and Australia.

They have slipped to fifth in the 10-nation table with the top four going through to the semi-finals.

“We have to admit we did not play well in those games,” said Haq on Sunday.

“We were not up to the mark, did not get the execution right and defeat always lowers morale.”

Haq scored 36 against India in Ahmedabad but Pakistan collapsed from 155-2 to 191 all out, losing by seven wickets.

The 27-year-old then scored 70 against Australia in a daunting chase of a 368-run target in Bengaluru where Pakistan slipped to a 62-run defeat.

“We dropped crucial catches and that hurt,” said Haq.

David Warner was on 10 when he was dropped by Usama Mir off Shaheen Shah Afridi — he went on to make 163 and share a record Australian World Cup opening stand of 259 with Mitchell Marsh who compiled 121.

“You will see a new thing tomorrow. We want to go to Kolkata with four wins in six games,” said Haq, whose team will also face South Africa in Chennai on Friday.

Haq also played down the threat posed by Afghanistan’s spin trio of Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Mohammad Nabi at a venue renowned as a slow bowlers paradise.

“We know this ground favours spinners and they have quality spin bowlers but we have beaten them 3-0 recently in a one-day series in Sri Lanka under the same conditions,” said Haq.

“We all know Afghanistan is a good team and in these conditions they will be tough but we are ready for that and will execute our plans.”

Afghanistan player Rahmanullah Gurbaz and coach Jonathan Trott during a practice session ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match against Pakistan in Chennai.
| Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

Head coach Jonathan Trott is hopeful Afghanistan can keep their World Cup campaign alive by pulling off a win against an under-pressure Pakistan, having come agonisingly close to defeating them earlier this year.

The 42-year-old added that the passionate rivalry between the two teams, who are desperate to win, would make it an enthralling contest in Chennai on October 23.

“I think for them (Afghans), it’s a rivalry that excites them. It’s a rivalry that sometimes in the past has been very passionate,” Trott said at the pre-match press conference on October 22.

“But I’m sure we’ll see an exciting game tomorrow. It’s just the nature of the rivalry. And both teams respect each other but are very desperate to win,” he added.

Pakistan had defeated Afghanistan 3-0 in a three-match ODI series in August with Babar Azam and Co. eking out a narrow one-wicket win in the second match.

“We’ve had an ODI series against them recently where we should have won a few games, (but) we didn’t. So hopefully, we can put that right tomorrow.” Afghanistan play their second game at the Chepauk, the Hashmatullah Shahidi-led side fell to 149-run loss to New Zealand at the same venue.

“The pitch I’m not sure. Chennai is normally a good wicket. So, everybody’s got to put in a good team performance if we want to beat the likes of a strong side like Pakistan.” In the game against New Zealand, the Afghan spinners failed to make an impact.

“With spinners, there are only two or three of them playing a game. And, it’s the other eight as well that have to play the game, so that’s important,” Trott replied to a query from PTI.

“It’s everybody’s job. It’s not just the spinners’ job to win games. There are batters who’ve got to put runs on the board or chase down a total. Yes, the spinners are important and getting our selection is key for the fixture, but it’s a team effort. There’s no reliance on just spinners.”

Afghanistan are at the bottom of the points table, having lost three of the four fixtures they have played. Their only victory came against defending champion England.

The game against Pakistan is a must-win of sorts for Afghanistan if they want to keep their fate in their own hands. A loss could mean they will have to rely on favourable results to stay in the semifinal race.

“Every game is a must-win game. This is a World Cup, and every game is important. So, I don’t see the other matches just as more important as this,” said Trott.

Pakistan is headed into the match having suffered back-to-back losses against hosts India and Australia. Trott asserted that his side would aim to exploit this situation against an under-pressure Pakistani side.

“We always look to put up put the opposition under pressure straight away, so we’ll be looking to do that tomorrow, obviously. There’s a lot of other things that come into the game with regards to the rivalry and the history of and the passion of everything.” “We know the Pakistan team will be very determined to win tomorrow and certainly want to sort of snap that losing streak of the two games,” he signed off.

Sri Lanka’s Charith Asalanka is embraced by Dunith Wellalage and Matheesha Pathirana as they celebrate their two wickets win in the Asia Cup cricket match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Colombo.
| Photo Credit: AP

After displaying a clinical approach in its run-chase, Sri Lanka’s nerves showed towards the end in a two-wicket win over Pakistan at the R. Premadasa Stadium here on Thursday as it booked a date with India in the final of the Asia Cup.

The host lost five wickets for 36 runs and was forced to scramble over the line, into the teeth of a thrilling final over, bowled by Zaman Khan.

Defending seven runs, the debutant conceded just two runs off the first four balls before the ball took the edge of Charith Asalanka’s blade and went for a boundary. With two needed off the last delivery, Zaman fatally strayed on the pads and the left-hander flicked it for a couple amidst the deafening roar of a capacity crowd.

Before the chaos, Kusal Mendis and Sadeera Samarawickrama’s 100-run partnership for the third wicket was a lesson in setting up a chase. The duo ran hard to pick up the ones and twos when the spinners operated in tandem and hit the odd boundary when they missed their lengths to ensure that the asking rate never got out of hand.

The injection of intent came from openers Kusal Perera and Pathum Nissanka, who fetched a flurry of boundaries with the aim to keep abreast of the DLS par score in a rain-hit game.

Earlier, after electing to bat following a two-hour 15-minute delay in the start of play due to rain, Pakistan found itself floundering at 130 for five in the 28th over when the heavens opened again.

On either side of a 30-minute rain-break, Pakistan’s innings was a tale of two halves. Mohammad Rizwan (86 n.o., 73b, 6×4, 2×6) and Iftikhar Ahmed’s (47, 40b, 4×4, 2×6) 108-run partnership helped Pakistan ransack 122 off 86 after the interruption.

The pitch seemed to have eased up under the covers as Rizwan and Iftikhar cut loose in the first over of pacer Pramod Madushan’s second spell, laying into him with a six each. Rizwan showed Dunith Wellalage no respect in the following over, sweeping his flighted deliveries for a six and a four. Matheesha Pathirana was driven and pulled for two boundaries in one over. Maheesh Theekshana, who injured his hamstring while trying to save a boundary, limped through the last three overs of his spell and went for 12 runs off his last.

When Madushan’s slower deliveries became too predictable at the death, Iftikhar tonked him for a six to complete a 74-ball century stand with Rizwan, which wasn’t enough at the end.

Scores

Pakistan: 252/7 in 42 overs (Abdullah Shafique 52, Mohammad Rizwan 86 n.o., Iftikhar Ahmed 47; Matheesha Pathirana 3/65)

Sri Lanka: 252/8 in 42 overs (Kusal Mendis 91, Sadeera Samarawickrama 48, Charith Asalanka 49 n.o; Iftikhar Ahmed 3/50).

Target: 252 in 42 overs (DLS method).

Skipper Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli take a rest during a practice session ahead of the Super Fours match against Pakistan in the Asia Cup 2023, at R. Premadasa Stadium, in Colombo.
| Photo Credit: ANI

Nuwan Senaviratne was the most sought-after member of the contingent by India’s batters over the last three two days. The left-arm throwdown specialist has been relentlessly trying all his angles and variations while trying his best to let the ball be released as similar to a lanky Pakistan left-arm pacer.

It’s understandable since Shaheen Shah Afridi has been the nemesis of the majority of top-order batters over the last few years. India is not an exception, with Afridi leading the Pakistan pace trio during the abandoned Asia Cup preliminary stage clash over the last weekend.

Cut to Sunday, weather permitting, Afridi’s duel against Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Co. is set to be revived, at the R. Premadasa Stadium.

No wonder then that all the India batters over the last couple of training sessions have been eager to have a bat against Senaviratne’s left-arm throws during India’s nets. All the top-order batters faced Nuwan on Friday night under lights.

With Saturday being an optional nets day, of the seven squad members who turned up — three batters who are set to feature in the XI had a go against Nuwan.

Shubman Gill, K.L. Rahul and Ravindra Jadeja had long stints against the left-armer, with head coach Rahul Dravid keeping a close eye on the proceedings. It will be interesting if India’s batters can actually find answers to the Afridi riddle on Sunday.

With the provision of a reserve day, an abandonment is all but ruled out, especially with the game to be continued on Monday from the point of suspension of Sunday. But India will be hoping to conquer Afridi and Co. and take a giant leap towards booking a place in the final.

Despite the debate over the wicketkeeper-batter’s slot, Rahul is set to be preferred for the role, thus marking his return to competitive cricket since May. Ishan Kishan, despite playing a stellar role, is set to make way for him.

Similarly, Mohammed Shami is again likely to miss out with Jasprit Bumrah having rejoined the squad after the birth of his son. Besides these two changes, India is unlikely to tinker around with its team that overcame Nepal last weekend in Pallekele.

Pakistan, on the other hand, will be eager to virtually qualify for the final with a win against India. Having thumped Bangladesh in the Super Four opener in Lahore earlier in the week, Babar Azam’s army is hoping to get India under the mat.

Potent attack

It will be interesting to see how the Pakistan batters fare — especially in a shortened game — against India’s potent bowling attack.

While the fans will be hoping for a full game, it is set to be a stop-and-start day. According to the weather report issued by Sri Lanka’s Department of Meteorology, “several spells of showers” are expected throughout Sunday.

The fans will be hoping for the dark clouds to dodge the Khettarama area to watch the rivalry to be truly revived ahead of the World Cup.

Teams

India: Rohit Sharma (captain), Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Tilak Varma, Ishan Kishan, Hardik Pandya (vice-captain), Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Shardul Thakur, Jasprit Bumraj, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, Kuldeep Yadav, Prasidh Krishna.

Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Haris, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Usama Mir, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir (travelling reserve).