World T20 squads can still be changed, says ICC official
KARACHI: Teams participating in the Super 10 of the upcoming World T20 can still make changes in their squads without requiring an approval from the International Cricket Council (ICC), an official informed DawnNews on Saturday.
The game’s governing body set February 8 as the initial deadline to submit the World T20 squads, while Pakistan was granted a two-day extension on Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) request.
According to an ICC official there is almost a month’s time left for the member nations to tinker with their team’s combinations.
“All teams taking part in the second round of the World T20 can make changes to their squads until March 8,” said the official.
“These changes don’t require ICC approval and can be made for any reason – technical or medical,” he added.
The World T20, set to be held in India, kicks off on March 8 with a qualifying round for the associate teams, while the Super 10 round commences from March 16.
The official added that any changes proposed after March 8 will be allowed solely for medical reasons and will also need an approval from the ICC.
Opener Ahmed Shehzad and fast bowler Umar Gul were dropped, while Khurram Manzoor, Rumman Raees and Mohammad Nawaz were included as Pakistan named its 15-man squad after a lengthy meeting which split the selection committee on Wednesday.
According to sources, Manzoor, Raees and Iftikhar Ahmed — who has been with a squad since November 2015, will be assessed during the on-going Pakistan Super League (PSL) and Asia Cup T20 which commences February 29 and there can be potential changes in the squad if the trio fails to impress before the World T20.
Pakistan Chief Selector Haroon Rasheed confirmed the rule to Dawn, but shrugged off any possibility of changes in the national side before the tournament.