Reliable sources say PCB has formally written to West Indies Cricket Board, requesting to play five T20 Internationals instead of originally scheduled three
KARACHI: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-July 17th, 2025) Pakistani cricket fans may have to wait longer to see star players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah back in action, as uncertainties loom over the scheduled ODI series against the West Indies.
Initially, there were expectations that these senior players would be included in the ODI lineup for the West Indies tour. However, it now appears that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reconsidering its commitment to the three-match ODI series. According to sources, the PCB is pushing to replace the ODIs with an extended T20I series as part of preparations for the upcoming Asia Cup and ICC T20 World Cup.
The reliable sources confirmed that the PCB has formally written to the West Indies Cricket Board, requesting to play five T20 Internationals instead of the originally scheduled three. However, the West Indies board has yet to respond to the proposal, despite several days having passed.
If the West Indies board declines the request for an expanded T20 series, Pakistan plans to play only the three T20Is in the USA before returning home. The three ODIs would then be scheduled for a later date. Players were reportedly briefed on this plan prior to their departure for the Bangladesh series.
The national team is scheduled to fly from Dhaka to the United States via Dubai on July 25. Pakistan will face the West Indies in three T20 Internationals at Lauderhill, Florida, on August 1, 3, and 4. Additionally, a friendly T20 International is scheduled between Pakistan and the United States. The match carries added intrigue following the USA’s shock Super Over victory against Pakistan in last year’s T20 World Cup.
Meanwhile, the three ODIs between Pakistan and the West Indies are officially set for August 8, 10, and 12 in Trinidad and Tobago. Despite this, Pakistan’s willingness to participate in the ODI leg remains uncertain. Interestingly, the West Indies board has already begun advertising ticket sales for both the T20 and ODI series on social media, indicating its intention to proceed as scheduled.
Pakistan is yet to announce its squad for the T20I series against the West Indies. However, it has been confirmed that major players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah will only be included in the playing XI if any current squad member is ruled out due to injury.
Following the conclusion of the national training camp in Karachi, Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Naseem Shah have returned to their homes. A day earlier, batter Salman Ali Agha had revealed in a conversation with Jang that the selectors have finalized a pool of 25 players for the T20 World Cup, which includes the three senior stars.
The current squad features Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmad Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufiyan Muqeem.
In a major development, former New Zealand coach Mike Hesson and other foreign coaches will be traveling with the national team abroad for the first time as part of the ongoing restructuring and professionalization of Pakistan’s cricketing setup.
