Umar Akmal's talent should be utilised at number 3. — Mohammad Rizwan
The 24-year-old live-wire makes the team on his fielding abilities alone.
With a decent batting average in one-day internationals, Rizwan is still waiting for his moment to shine. Head coach Waqar Younis continues to have faith in the young player, and he can always keep if Pakistan opt to rest Sarfraz Ahmed.
Shahid Afridi
Not many like to see him in the team as a player, let alone as a captain.
But Pakistan’s T20 lineup is incomplete without Boom Boom.
Afridi at No. 6 in Indian conditions is a necessity but fans will be hoping the 35-year-old draws curtains on his career with an all-round performance similar to his 2009 heroics.
Sarfraz Ahmed
Sarfraz is one of those guys who don’t like to go down without a fight.
Hailing from Karachi, he has been trained enough on the streets of the city to outsmart some of the best in the game. Players like Sarfraz are good to have in the dressing room as they instill belief in others.
Imad Wasim
Since the days of Abdul Razzaq and Azhar Mahmood, Pakistan have been searching for an all-rounder who is not a bits-and-pieces player. And In Imad, they have someone who is equally good in all departments.
Imad showed great potential during the Sri Lanka series last year, and continues to excel with both bat and the ball. A player like Imad at No. 8 stretches the batting line up.
Wahab Riaz
Wahab’s spell to Australia’s Shane Watson in 2015 World Cup was just the glimpse of what he is capable of doing. Though he does to tend to get carried away in experimenting with different lengths at crucial times of the game, he remains a key member in the solid bowling attack.
Mohammad Amir
Back in 2009, Amir was touted as the ‘future of Pakistan’s fast bowling’ – but then 2010’s spot-fixing episode happened, putting a five-year ban on him from all sorts of cricket. Pakistan’s tour to New Zealand in 2016 opened for him the doors of international cricket again, and he has started to get his groove back. One can see natural seam movement and pace off his bowling – which is a good sign. Still 23, Amir has a lot of cricket ahead and one could still pin their hopes to him to continue leading the country’s pace battery.
Mohammad Irfan
Irfan might not have a ‘traditional’ fast bowler's persona, but he continues to be a threatening striker. The Seven-foot tall pacer has variation and pace on his side to trouble batsmen around the world. He has been a good prospect for captains to utilise during different phases of the game and has delivered to the best of his abilities.
A bowling attack comprising Irfan, Amir, Wahab, Afridi, Imad and Malik could surely add up to their opponents’ miseries.
Readers are invited to build their own squads in the comments section below