Naseem Shah backs Mohammad Amir as T20 World Cup looms

Pakistan’s speedster Naseem Shah has backed fellow pacer Mohammad Amir ahead of the T20 World Cup in June in the United States and West Indies.

Naseem believes that Amir’s experience will come in handy ahead of the upcoming matches.

“Amir has experience from playing in the leagues which is proving beneficial for the team,” Naseem said during a media session at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Saturday.

Naseem is also eager to win the T20 World Cup.

“I’m fit and ready for the World Cup. I want to help my team win the tournament,” he said.

Meanwhile, Salman Ali Agha said that he is focusing on the matches against England and Ireland.

“I am fully prepared for the series and would like to continue my good form,” he said. “My focus is on the upcoming matches and the decision to select me for the World Cup is down to the selectors.”

The Pakistan team is scheduled to leave for Dublin on 7 May following a three-day camp in Lahore from 4-6 May.

Pacer Shaheen Afridi and batter Azam Khan will join the camp today while the rest of the members of the squad have already started training at Gaddafi Stadium.

Pacer Hasan Ali and all-rounder Shadab Khan won’t attend the ongoing training camp ahead of the tour of Ireland.

Shadab and Hasan, who is currently playing county cricket for Warwickshire, will join the squad in Ireland.

Pakistan team will play three T20Is in Ireland, followed by four in England. After the England series, Pakistan will leave for the United States to feature in the T20 World Cup.

The 18-player squad, which was announced for Ireland and England T20Is, will be reduced to 15 players for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will begin on June 1, after the first T20I against England on May 22.

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan