The upcoming Global T20 Canada tournament is poised to captivate cricket enthusiasts once again with its impressive lineup of players. From 20th July to 6th August, this year’s edition promises to be a spectacle, featuring numerous Pakistani cricketers chosen as Icons and Marquee players for different teams.
However, the recent signing of Muhammad Rizwan with the Vancouver Knights has raised concerns about his participation in the upcoming Sri Lanka tour. Rizwan, who has been in outstanding form across all formats, was selected as the Icon player for the Vancouver Knights in the GT20 Canada tournament. This further underscores his growing reputation as a dependable and impactful cricketer.
Nevertheless, Rizwan’s involvement in the GT20 Canada tournament may clash with Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka, which is scheduled around the same time. The uncertainty surrounding Rizwan’s participation in the Sri Lanka tour arises from his exclusion from the Pakistan Test team during the last New Zealand series. In that series, Rizwan was dropped from the playing XI, with former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed taking his place.
Sarfaraz performed well with the bat, scoring impressively and solidifying his position in the team. This unexpected turn of events has raised questions about Rizwan’s future in the Test squad.
With the Sri Lanka tour on the horizon, Pakistan’s team management faces a dilemma regarding Rizwan’s availability. On one hand, Rizwan’s remarkable form and recent performances make him an invaluable asset to the team. On the other hand, the GT20 Canada tournament provides an opportunity for players to showcase their skills in a competitive T20 environment. The Vancouver Knights’ signing of Rizwan as their Icon player adds an additional layer of complexity to the situation. Balancing player development and national team commitments poses a challenging decision for Rizwan and the Pakistan Cricket Board.
Here is the list of Pakistani cricketers drafted so far for the Global T20 Canada tournament:
Toronto Nationals
- Shahid Afridi (Marquee)
- Zaman Khan
- Saim Ayub
- Abdullah Shafique
Mississauga Panthers
- Shoaib Malik (Icon)
- Azam Khan
- Shahnawaz Dhani
Brampton Wolves
- Usama Mir
- Hussain Talat
- Usman Khan
Surrey Jaguars
- Iftikhar Ahmed (Marquee)
- Mohammad Haris
Vancouver Knights
- Muhammad Rizwan (Icon)
Montreal Tigers
- Abbas Afridi
