January 1 was the deadline set by the ICC for participating teams to submit their provisional squads, and the Pakistan Cricket Board completed this task within the allotted timeframe, the source stated.
So far, not all teams have revealed their provisional squads.
Teams can modify their provisional squads until January 31 without requiring approval from the ICC. Any changes made after this date will need clearance from the ICC’s tournament technical committee.
According to the source, Pakistan’s provisional squad includes injured fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, former captain Babar Azam, and all-rounder Shadab Khan, who has been out of international cricket since May last year due to a shoulder injury.
Shadab made his return to competitive cricket in the Big Bash League late last month and is included in Pakistan’s squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series in Sri Lanka starting January 7.
The selectors have primarily chosen players who are part of the Sri Lanka tour, with the final World Cup squad expected to be finalized after the series, the source noted.
Fast bowler Haris Rauf has not been included in the provisional squad, while Shaheen’s ultimate selection will rely on the recovery from the knee injury he sustained during the Big Bash League last week.
Other players named in the provisional squad include mystery spinners Usman Tariq and Abrar Ahmed, all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz, as well as Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, Usman Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, and Salman Ali Agha.
