Pakistan Names Squad for New Zealand T20I Series

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named the 17-member squad for the New Zealand T20I series that is scheduled to commence from January 12 and conclude on January 21, 2024.

Pakistan Squad New Zealand T20I Series, Pakistan vs New Zealand, New Zealand T20I Series, Pakistan Squad — Pakistan Names Squad for New Zealand T20I Series

In a significant development for Pakistan’s T20I team, right-arm pacer Mohammad Abbas Afridi, wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah, and leg-spinner Usama Mir have received their maiden call-ups, owing to their stellar performances in the domestic season. Sahibzada Farhan, who debuted for Pakistan in 2018, has also made a comeback after an impressive show with the bat in the National T20 Cup 2023-24.

Shaheen Shah Afridi is set to lead the Pakistan squad for the first time, marking the commencement of their preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled for June. The 17-member squad, assembled by the national men’s selection committee led by Wahab Riaz, is geared up for the T20I tour of New Zealand, featuring five matches from January 12 to January 21, 2024, across Auckland, Hamilton, Dunedin, and Christchurch.

This tour follows Pakistan’s Test series in Australia, concluding on January 7, 2024, in Sydney. The squad will depart from Lahore on January 3, with players in Australia for the Test series joining on January 8, 2024.

Mohammad Abbas Afridi, a standout performer for Peshawar, emerges as a top wicket-taker in the National T20 Cup, claiming 14 wickets at an impressive average of 16.43. The 22-year-old also excelled in the Pakistan Cup, ending as the joint-highest wicket-taker with 15 scalps. His outstanding performance in HBL PSL 8 earned him the title of the emerging player.

Leg-spinner Usama Mir, having made his ODI debut this year, receives his maiden T20I call-up after featuring in 12 ODIs. Haseebullah, an emerging talent, earned his spot with a stellar performance in the domestic season, bagging the player of the tournament title in the Pakistan Cup. His remarkable display included 326 runs in seven matches, featuring two centuries and a half-century, along with 10 dismissals behind the stumps.

Sahibzada Farhan, a top-order batter from Peshawar, amassed 492 runs in the National T20 Cup, showcasing his prowess with a century and four half-centuries. Uncapped Abrar Ahmed and the returning Azam Khan add further depth to the squad.

Pakistan, considering the conditions in New Zealand, opts for a formidable pace attack with six options: Aamir Jamal, Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Abbas Afridi, and captain Shaheen Afridi. However, injuries rule out Naseem Shah, Ihsanullah, and Shadab Khan, while Shan Masood, Mohammad Haris, and Faheem Ashraf miss out on the tour.

The selected players are set to assemble for a training camp in Lahore from December 28, 2023, to January 3, 2024, before departing for New Zealand, with nine additional players joining the camp for added preparation. The full squad is mentioned in the list below.