Former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan believes Pakistan has a strong team for the T20 World Cup, highlighting their dangerous middle order and impressive bowling attack.

While speaking on a talk show, the former pacer highlighted Pakistan’s ability to regularly strike in bowling powerplay.

“Fakhar Zaman & Azam Khan will be very dangerous in the middle. Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Amir are high-quality pacers. Even Imad Wasim bowls well in the powerplay. It’s a solid team,” Pathan said.

Pakistan selection committee on Thursday announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming Ireland and England T20I series.

The Pakistan team will first face Ireland in a three-match series, followed by a four-match series against England, the reigning T20 World Champions.

The squad will be trimmed to 15 players for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 after the first T20I at Leeds on 22 May to meet the ICC’s 24 May deadline.

The national selection committee has brought back Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, and Salman Ali Agha to the 18-player squad. Usama Mir and Zaman Khan didn't make the final cut.

Haris Rauf and Azam Khan missed the New Zealand T20Is due to injuries, while Mohammad Irfan Khan and Mohammad Rizwan were rested. After fitness assessments, all four players have shown improvement, raising hopes for their availability for the upcoming seven T20Is.

Pakistan squad for Ireland and England series:

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