Possible shock call-ups for the 2020 T20 World Cup

#11 Kamran Akmal

Umar Akmal and Kamran Akmal steer Pakistan to a big total.

This divides Pakistan fans constantly. Some fans are infuriated that they don't get chances and some are equally annoyed people even speak about possible comebacks with the situation similar to Ahmed Shehzad's. Both Akmal brothers were in the same boat prior to this season's Pakistan Super League, yet only one is any kind of contender for the World Cup.

The raw talent is there. Umar is probably slightly more talented than Babar Azam but at times has the enthusiasm and temperament of a wet fish, ruling himself out of the World Cup after a failure to report potential spot-fixing. Kamran is far more mature but is ignored by selectors even more despite the best statistics on offer by Pakistani batsmen in the PSL, which is used to feed the national team constantly.

A vicious hundred to start off the 2020 edition may just swing them his way this time around. If we are fair and take an unbiased look at what they offer and what the team needs, he should probably make it in. But will he? Probably not, it would be a major surprise if Kamran was eventually picked.

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#12 Mahuru Dai

35-year-old PNG veteran Mahuru Dai isn't a bad bet for a comeback.

Papua New Guinea have been very consistent with their team selection but one name always lingers on the lips of PNG's biggest fans. That name is a bonafide legend of the barramundis, Mahuru Dai. Dai is one of the most consistent players Papua New Guinea have ever had as along with consistent batting returns, his bowling is magnificent, whether he chooses to bowl off-breaks, leggies or even the odd medium pacer.

The spin department for the first XI looks pretty strong, as Jason Kila and Assad Vala provide the off-spin and Charles Amini with some help from Lega Siaka bowl the leggies for the team. Yet on the bench, there is only off-spinner Hiri Hiri who offers any back-up, and his place in the team would not be as solid if Mahuru Dai was to return.

He had a pretty quiet exit from the team back in 2018 as some fans didn't even know he was gone until his name escaped the World T20 Qualifier squad list. So, Mahuru may want to put that right with a last-minute T20 explosion. Hiri Hiri is a fantastic player, but a Mahuru Dai return would be glorious.