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Pakistan will host New Zealand back-to-back in just four months. Pakistan will play five T20 and 5 ODI. Pakistan has announced the T20 squad that will face the Kiwi team at home. Babar is back as a captain, he was given a rest for the Afghanistan series. Senior players are back to balance the emerging squad after a historic defeat against Afghanistan.
Pakistan’s T20I Squad: Who is in Who is out?
Shaheen Shah Afridi is set to make his comeback to international cricket after a four-month hiatus. He has been selected in Pakistan’s T20I and ODI squads for the series against New Zealand, which will take place across Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi from 14 April to 7 May. The likes of Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Rizwan will also be returning to both squads after resting during the three-T20I series against Afghanistan in Sharjah last month.
As a result, Babar Azam will resume his role as captain in both formats, while Shadab Khan will return to his position as vice-captain. The T20I squad will also feature three young talents – Ihsanullah, Saim Ayub, and Zaman Khan – who have been retained after impressive performances in Sharjah. Moreover, Ihsanullah has been included in the ODI squad for the first time in his career.
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T20I Squad
Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Zaman Khan
Pakistan’s T20I Squad: Playing 11 Combination
The return of experienced players and the inclusion of young talent gives Pakistan a balanced squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand. But it will difficult for team management because there are so many players for limited positions.
Top-Order
Pakistan’s regulars openers are backed in the squad, during the Afghanistan series Saim Ayub and Muhammad Haris were the openers for Pakistan. In this series, Pakistan can rotate because t2O is not important in 50 over World Cup year. Babar and Rizwan can open in the first two games saim should open with Babar as they both were as good as rock for Peshawar Zalmi
Middle-Order
For middle-order, it is straight-forward Fakhar in third position and Abdullah in 4, and Haris at 5. This batting lineup has the potential to chase down any target. Shadab and Nawaz can also be promoted to hit the ball and play a cameo.
Bowlers
Shaheen and Haris are back to lead the bowling attack. Naseem and Ishanullah will fight for the third spot. Zaman Khan will be on the bench and can be used in the last two matches.
All-Rounders
Pakistan vice-captain Shadab will be the first-choice all-rounder. Nawaz and Imad will fight for the second spot. We have seen this trio in Sharjah but those conditions are different from what we have in Pakistan.
