Shaheen, Babar, Haris & Naseem likely to ‘Skip’ NZ tour

News Desk

Lahore: Several senior Pakistan cricketers are reportedly considering opting out of the upcoming white-ball series in New Zealand, scheduled from March 16 to April 5, amid growing concerns over team selection and performance scrutiny, sources revealed.

The tour consists of five T20Is and three ODIs, but discussions among players regarding their participation are ongoing.

Some team members are contemplating a break to preemptively avoid the risk of being dropped, following their disappointing performances in the Champions Trophy.

According to sources, high-ranking officials within the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are displeased with the team’s recent results, leading to speculation about potential changes in the selection committee, team management, and squad composition.

Reports suggest that key players, including Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Babar Azam, could face exclusion from upcoming white-ball matches.

Amid this uncertainty, some players are weighing the option of voluntarily withdrawing from the tour to avoid the stigma of being dropped. The situation has sparked heated discussions within the cricketing circles, as PCB deliberates over restructuring the squad.

Further clarity on player availability is expected in the coming days.