England have selected Craig Kieswetter and Ajmal Shahzad in their final squad for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in West Indies.
The pair both broke into England’s plans after impressing on the tour of UAE and the recent one-day series in Bangladesh and were confirmed in the 15-man squad announced today.
Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman Kieswetter scored a century in the third one-day international in Bangladesh and underlined his Twenty20 credentials by hammering 81 off 66 balls against England’s senior team for England Lions in Abu Dhabi.
"On the recent tour of Bangladesh Craig Kieswetter showed what he is capable of in international limited-overs cricket and as a wicketkeeper at the top of the order he gives us options down the order," commented Geoff Miller, England’s National Selector.
"Craig has improved over time and his selection indicates real competition for places which is only healthy for the England team."
Yorkshire all-rounder Shahzad, an ISM stablemate of Kieswetter’s, has also won a call-up into the squad after also impressing on his first winter with the senior England squad.
Shahzad made his England debut against Pakistan in second of the two Twenty20 internationals in Dubai and also played in the final one-day international in Bangladesh recently.
Neil Fairbrother, ISM’s Cricket Director, admitted: "It’s a fabulous opportunity for both of them.
"They’ve burst onto the one-day international scene in the last couple of months and to have the opportunity to play on the world stage so early in their international careers will be a great experience for both of them."
Uncapped Hampshire opener Michael Lumb, who formed a formidable opening partnership with Kieswetter for the Lions earlier this winter, has also been included in the 15-man squad while Ravi Bopara and Michael Yardy have both been recalled for the tournament starting in the Caribbean on April 30.