In a significant announcement, the PCB revealed the Pakistan squad set to face New Zealand in the upcoming T20 series, slated for January next year. Star pacer Shaheen Afridi will lead the T20I side, marking his debut as captain, succeeding Babar Azam.
The 17-member Pakistan squad showcases a blend of experienced players and promising youngsters. Exciting talents such as Abbas Afridi, Saim Ayub, Haseebullah Khan, and Sahibzada Farhan have earned their spots in the lineup.
The explosive Azam Khan adds firepower to the squad alongside established names like Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan.
Mohammad Haris, one of the standout T20 batters for the Green Shirts, was omitted from the Pakistan squad for NZ series.
Mohammad Haris, a 22-year-old right-handed batter, had swiftly gained recognition as one of the finest T20 talents, showcasing his prowess in various international leagues.
The exclusion of Haris from the squad took fans by surprise, especially considering his remarkable performances and fearless approach to the game.
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Pakistan vs New Zealand (PAK vs NZ) in January
Currently engaged in a three-match Test series in Australia as part of the World Test Championship, the Pakistan cricket team will shift their focus to the T20 format in January. Shaheen Afridi, renowned for his prowess with the new ball, will lead the Pakistan Squad against the formidable New Zealand side, runners-up in the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Chief Selector Mohammad Riaz shared insights during the press conference, emphasizing the need to develop players for crucial middle-order positions. Haseebullah’s impactful performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and white-ball cricket earned him a spot, showcasing the team’s strategic approach.
Riaz explained, “Khushdil Shah, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Faheem Ashraf were given chances, but they couldn’t create that type of impact, so now we’re in a building phase to see which players can fit into these positions.”
Discussing exclusions, Riaz clarified that wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris was rested for the series to provide opportunities to other performers from First Class cricket. Addressing the absence of all-rounder Shadab Khan, he revealed Shadab’s unfortunate ankle injury during the National T20, necessitating two weeks of rehab before he can return to bowling.
The announced squad comprises a mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging talents, aiming to make a mark in the challenging T20 series against New Zealand. The schedule for the series is as follows:
First match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 12 January, Auckland
Second match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 14 January, Hamilton
Third match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 17 January, Dunedin
Fourth match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 19 January, Christchurch
Fifth match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 21 January, Christchurch.
Pakistan Squad for NZ series
Shaheen Afridi (c), Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mojammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan.
Cricket enthusiasts eagerly anticipate this clash, anticipating thrilling performances and a showcase of Pakistan’s cricketing prowess on the international stage.
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