Mohammad Huraira has been chosen as the captain of the Pakistan Shaheens for their upcoming series against Sri Lanka 'A'. The matches will take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 11 to 29, featuring two four-day games and three 50-over matches.
The 22-year-old Huraira has impressive statistics, scoring 3,310 runs in 40 first-class matches, including eight centuries and 14 half-centuries. In List-A cricket, he has made 632 runs in 25 matches, with one century and one half-century to his name.
The Men’s National Selection Committee has announced the squads for both formats. Test fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Khurram Shahzad are included after returning to competitive play last week during the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, following rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy.
In the white-ball squad, Hussain Talat is the only international player. New faces include Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Ahmed Safi Abdullah, who have received their first call-ups to the Shaheens.
Several players from the team that played in the ACC Men’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup last month will continue, including Abdul Samad, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Imran Jnr, and Rohail Nazir. Meanwhile, Muhammad Imran, Sirajuddin, and Ubaid Shah are making their Shaheens debuts.
Training for the red-ball squad will start on November 6, while Sri Lanka 'A' will arrive on November 8 and begin their preparations on November 9. The white-ball players are set to gather in Islamabad on November 22.
Additionally, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed the match officials for the series. Iqbal Sheikh and Bilal Khilji will oversee the Playing Control Team for the red and white-ball matches, respectively, with umpires Asif Yaqoob, Imran Jawed, Rashid Riaz, and Zulfiqar Jan sharing responsibilities throughout the series.
Pakistan Shaheens squad:
Four-dayers: Mohammad Huraira (captain) (Sialkot), Abdul Faseeh (Rawalpindi), Ahmed Safi Abdullah (Faisalabad), Ali Zaryab (Lahore), Haider Ali (Rawalpindi), Hussain Talat (Lahore), Kashif Ali (Rawalpindi), Khurram Shahzad (Faisalabad), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (Karachi), Mohammad Rameez Jnr (Lahore), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (FATA), Rohail Nazir (Islamabad), Saad Khan (Hyderabad) and Sameen Gul (FATA)
50-over matches: Mohammad Huraira (captain) (Sialkot), Abdul Faseeh (Rawalpindi), Abdul Samad (Faisalabad), Haider Ali (Rawalpindi), Hussain Talat (Lahore), Maaz Sadaqat (Peshawar), Mehran Mumtaz (Rawalpindi), Mohammad Haris (Peshawar), Mohammad Imran Jnr (Swat), Muhammad Imran (Bahawalpur), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (FATA), Rohail Nazir (Islamabad), Sharoon Siraj (Multan), Sirajuddin (FATA) and Ubaid Shah (Lahore)
Umpire and match referee appointments (All matches will be day games and played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium)
11-14 Nov – 1st four-day. Asif Yaqoob and Zulfiqar Jan (on-field umpires), Imran Jawed (third umpire), Iqbal Sheikh (match referee)
18-21 Nov – 2nd four-day. Rashid Riaz and Imran Jawed (on-field umpires), Zulfiqar Jan (third umpire), Iqbal Sheikh (match referee)
25 Nov – 1st 50-over match. Rashid Riaz and Zulfiqar Jan (on-field umpires), Imran Jawed (third umpire), Bilal Khilji (match referee)
27 Nov – 2nd 50-over match. Rashid Riaz and Imran Jawed (on-field umpires), Zulfiqar Jan (third umpire), Bilal Khilji (match referee)
29 Nov – 3rd 50-over match. Rashid Riaz and Zulfiqar Jan (on-field umpires), Imran Jawed (third umpire), Bilal Khilji (match referee)