For their Twenty20 series against Ireland and England later this month, their final warm-ups for the T20 World Cup, Pakistan has called up medium-pacer Hasan Ali and fast bowler Haris Rauf, who was previously out of favour due to injury. However, they have not yet revealed their squad for the 20-team competition in June.

The 18-man team announced on Thursday also included Muhammad Irfan Khan, Azam Khan, and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, all of whom sustained injuries against New Zealand last month.

Pakistan's final 15-man team for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in the United States and the West Indies in June has not yet been announced by selectors.

Selector Wahab Riaz stated during a Lahore press conference, "We are having fitness issues with a few players but we hope that during the England tour, we will be able to finalise the World Cup squad."

The International Cricket Council received provisional 15-player squads from all 20 World Cup nations by May 1st, but they are allowed to make adjustments until May 25th.

Despite being part of the 18-man roster, Rauf, middle-order batsman Irfan Khan, and wicketkeeper-batters Mohammad Rizwan and Azam Khan are all recovering from injuries.

Rauf, 30, has been bowling at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore as he receives rehabilitation. He has not played in a competitive match since he dislocated his shoulder during the Pakistan Super League in February.

Azam was sidelined on the eve of the first Twenty20 tournament in Rawalpindi due to a calf muscle issue. Due to hamstring injuries they received during the third game, Rizwan and Irfan were both ruled out of the last two Twenty20 matches against the Black Caps.

"Rauf has begun bowling, and he will be match fit when we play England," Riaz stated.

"We have added Hasan Ali to the squad as a backup." Since September 2022, Hasan has not participated in a Twenty20 international match for Pakistan.

Although Ali has amassed 60 wickets in 50 Twenty20 matches, he hasn't represented Pakistan in the format since the Asia Cup in September 2022. After getting 14 wickets for the Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League, he was given some thought and is currently playing for Warwickshire in the English County Championship Division One.

Usman Khan gets another chance after switching allegiance

Usman Khan, a top-order batsman who switched allegiance to his birthplace of Pakistan and was banned from serving the Emirates Cricket Board for five years, was given another chance by the selectors. Usman struggled to make an impression in the drawn series, managing just 59 runs (with a top score of 31) in four games against New Zealand.

Agha Salman, a spinning all-rounder who has participated in Test and One-Day International matches, is expected to make his T20 debut after being selected.

In a spin department that also includes Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, and Imad Wasim, Agha was summoned back as a backup.

Fast bowler Zaman Khan and leg-spinner Usama Mir, who both played in the series against the Black Caps, were left off the roster.

"We recognise that Usama and Zaman will be let down," Riaz stated.

"They have lengthy careers ahead of them and are excellent cricket players. To be available if needed, players must keep their attention on their cricket.

Ireland and Pakistan will meet in Dublin on May 10, 12, and 14.

There will be four further matches against England on May 22 at Headingley in Leeds, May 25 at Edgbaston in Birmingham, May 28 at Sophia Gardens in Cardiff, and May 30 at the Oval in London.

Pakistan T20 squad for matches in Ireland and England: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan.