Pakistan batter Babar Azam will lead an 18-member squad for the Ireland and England series as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the team on Thursday.

Addressing the press conference flanked by Abdul Razzaq and Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Yousuf said: "Usama Mir and Zaman Khan have been dropped for the series. Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali have replaced Usama Mir and Zaman Khan."

Speaking about the injury of Mohammad Rizwan, Yousuf said: "There is quite improvement as far as Mohammad Rizwan's injury is concerned. The national team is ready to play on any wicket and against any opposition.".

“Both Mohammad Rizwan and Irfan Khan are getting better," said Yousuf.

Yousuf said: "There are very few players on the team who play sweep shots. These are things that we will have to fix. Nothing will be beneficial for us if there is a fear of defeat. We will have to play cricket without any fear.".

He acknowledged the role of Babar Azam as the captain, saying, "It was in the captaincy of Babar Azam that we played the finals of Asia Cup 2022 and ICC T20 World Cup 2022".

"Nobody becomes captain by birth. But one needs to learn the skills of becoming a captain. The way Babar Azam is leading the team, you will witness positive change in the team," Yousuf maintained.

"We will soon announce the vice-captain of the team," he said.

Yousuf made it clear that Gary Kirsten will join the team in England.

Yousuf was of the view that the playing conditions in New York would be similar to those in Ireland.

"99 percent of the wickets in the parts of the world suit batters and put the bowlers' patience to the test," Yousuf added.

Yousuf said, "The preparations ahead of the World Cup are underway. We are keeping an eye on the team combination."

Meanwhile, Wahab Riaz acknowledged the talent of Usman Khan. "Usman Khan is a talented player, but it is time to rally behind him. Usman Khan has delivered in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and domestic."

"We only have to monitor the fitness issues of up to two players," Riaz said.

"Talks have been held with captain and coach Gary Kirsten on the World Cup squad," Riaz said.

Speaking about pacer Haris Rauf, Riaz said: "The rehab of Haris Rauf is underway."

Riaz said: "The reason that Usman Khan was selected for the national team is because of his good performance in the domestic circuit. Usman Khan staged a comeback after a shortage of runs in the initial two matches."

He asserted, "Everybody in the team had been selected on the basis of good performances."

Meanwhile, expressing his thoughts, Abdul Razzaq said: "We do not need to be in a hurry in terms of announcing the World Cup squad. All the players will get fit until May 20."

Rallying behind opener Saim Ayub, Razzaq said: "Saim Ayub is a quality batter. Saim only needs one match to restore his form."

"Abrar Ahmed has been brought into the team in place of Usama Mir. Abrar Ahmed can add value to the team," Razzaq said.

PAKISTAN SQUAD

Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan