Pakistan Probable Squad for the New Zealand Series

The T20 World Cup 2024 will be held in the West Indies and the United States. Pakistan’s team started preparing for this major event during the New Zealand series in January this year. Unfortunately, Pakistan lost this series 4-1.

This time, the New Zealand team will tour Pakistan for five T20Is, which are likely to be played in Lahore and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in April. However, key players from the New Zealand side will not be touring Pakistan due to their commitments to the Indian Premier League (IPL). These players include Kane Williamson, Deven Convay(due to injury), Daryl Mitchell, Trent Boult, Mitchell Santner, Lockie Ferguson, Rachin Ravindra, and Glenn Phillips. Nevertheless, considering it’s the T20 World Cup year, Pakistan will seize this opportunity to experiment with different combinations before the mega-event.

Let’s examine the potential candidates who are likely to make the Squad for the New Zealand Series.

When will PCB announce the Squad for the New Zealand Series?

The chief selector, Wahab Riaz, is expected to announce the squad for the New Zealand Series after the conclusion of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The PSL-9 final will be played in Karachi on 18 March.

Media reports suggest that Shaheen Afridi will not retain his captaincy spot due to poor decision-making and immaturity at a higher level. Shaheen appears clueless in his decisions and has made illogical moves during his captaincy of Pakistan and also this year’s Lahore Qalandar captaincy.

No major changes are expected except for a few PSL performers who may be called up to the national team. Abrar Ahmad and Agha Salman will likely be included in the squad, while Shadab and Naseem will return to the team after recovering from their injuries.

نیوزی لینڈ سیریز کے لئے آل پی ایس ایل میں آل راونڈر پرفارمنس دینے پر شاداب خان ٹی ٹونٹی سیریز میں واپسی کرینگے جبکہ نسیم شاہ کی بھی واپسی ہوگی، حارث روف کی شمولیت انکی فٹنس پر ہے جبکہ محمد نواز اور حسیب اللہ خان جگہ برقرار رکھنے میں ناکام، نسیم شاہ کے بھائی حنین شاہ اور خواجہ…
— Qadir Khawaja (@iamqadirkhawaja) March 8, 2024

Top Order

Pakistan played their recent T20I series in New Zealand early this year, during which they experimented with various opening combinations that proved unsuccessful. The team management attempted to pair Saim Ayub and Mohammad Rizwan alongside Haseebullah and Rizwan. However, the forthcoming management changes will see Saim and Rizwan retained as openers, while Babar Azam will be positioned at number three to better align with the team’s combination.

Interesting to Read: Why PCB Overlooked Iqbal Stadium Faisalabad?

Middle Order

The middle order remains the primary concern for the Pakistan team. However, Fakhar Zaman has secured his place in that department and will occupy the number four position. Pakistan requires a dependable batsman in the middle order, and reports suggest that the selectors may opt for the batting all-rounder Salman Ali Agha. Salman performed admirably in the middle order for Islamabad United, amassing 300 runs with an impressive strike rate of 142.85. Iftikhar Ahmed is likely to retain his position in the late middle order at number six, while Shadab Khan and Azam Khan are also contenders for spots in the middle order.

Spinners

Pakistan desperately needed wicket-taking spinners in white-ball cricket. Shadab Khan’s bowling performance for the past few years has not been up to the mark, and he also struggles in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL). However, selectors are likely to continue with Shadab due to his all-round ability. Usama Mir, the highest wicket-taker in PSL-9, will also retain his spot, while Abrar Ahmad will also be considered for the squad for the New Zealand series.

Fast Bowers

The T20I captain of Pakistan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, will lead the Pakistani attack against the Kiwi side, while Naseem Shah returns to the nation after injury. The speedster Haris Rauf might miss the upcoming series due to an injury he sustained during PSL-9 although his recent form is not up to the mark. Zaman Khan and Abbas Afridi will also be included in the squad for the New Zealand Series while either Amir Jamal or Waseem Jnr will be selected.