Pakistan Gears Up for Five-Match T20I Series Against NZ
News Desk
Islamabad: Pakistan’s national cricket team, led by Salman Ali Agha, is set to take on New Zealand in a highly anticipated five-match T20I series, starting Sunday, March 16. The opening game will be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, with the first ball scheduled to be bowled at 2:15 pm local time.
The series will continue with the second match at University Oval, Dunedin, on March 18, followed by the third fixture at Eden Park, Auckland, on March 21. The final two T20Is will take place at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on March 23, and Sky Stadium, Wellington, on March 26. A three-match ODI series will follow, running from March 29 to April 5.
Pakistan’s squad, which landed in Christchurch on Thursday, conducted its first training session on Friday afternoon. Ahead of the tour, the team held a pre-series training camp from March 7 to 10 at LCCA Ground in Lahore to fine-tune preparations.
The squad includes three uncapped players—Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali—who earned their call-ups following impressive performances in domestic cricket.
Historically, Pakistan has held the edge over New Zealand in T20I encounters, winning 23 out of the 44 matches played between the two sides. The last bilateral T20I series, hosted in Pakistan in 2024, ended in a 2-2 draw, with one match abandoned due to rain.
Skipper Salman Ali Agha, who led Pakistan to a 2-1 T20I series win against Zimbabwe in his first outing as captain, expressed confidence in his squad’s preparations. “The team is in good shape, and we aim to deliver strong performances in New Zealand. This tour is also a great platform for our young players to prove themselves at the international level,” he stated.
Pakistan’s T20I Squad:
Captain: Salman Ali Agha
Vice-Captain: Shadab Khan
Players: Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousaf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan
Team Support Personnel:
Team Manager: Naveed Akram Cheema
Interim Head Coach: Aqib Javed
Assistant Coach: Azhar Mahmood
Batting Coach: Mohammad Yousuf
Fielding Coach: Mohammad Masroor
Physiotherapist: Cliffe Deacon
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Drikus Saiman
Analyst: Talha Butt
Security Manager: Irtiza Komail
Team Doctor: Dr. Wajid Ali Rafai
Media & Digital Manager: Syed Naeem Ahmad
Masseur: Sergio Basil Mullins
With a mix of experienced players and fresh talent, Pakistan is aiming for a successful campaign against the Black Caps. The series will be a crucial test for the team ahead of future international assignments.
