Pakistan Ready for T20 Series Against New Zealand

APP
Islamabad: Pakistan is ready to engage with New Zealand in a five-match T20I series, commencing with the first match scheduled at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday.
Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the team for the first time, taking over the captaincy from Babar Azam.
Pakistan, currently ranked fourth in T20s, last participated in the format in April 2023 against New Zealand in a five-match series held in Lahore and Rawalpindi. Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan, appointed as Shaheen’s vice-captain, emerged as Pakistan’s leading run-scorer in that series, while right-arm pacer Haris Rauf stood out as the most successful bowler.
The squad includes uncapped players such as leg-spinner Usama Mir, pacer Mohammad Abbas Afridi, and wicketkeeper-batsman Haseebullah. Additionally, the return of Sahibzada Farhan, Azam Khan, and Aamir Jamal adds depth to the team.
Spinner Abrar Ahmed, initially part of the squad, has been ruled out due to an injury sustained during Pakistan’s Test tour of Australia last month.
In a pre-series press conference, Captain Shaheen Shah Afridi expressed his pride in leading Pakistan and emphasized the team’s focus on achieving desired results in upcoming tournaments. He highlighted the importance of testing younger talent, rotating players, and securing a strong bench for potential injuries during the tournament.
Pakistan’s squad for the New Zealand tour comprises Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain, wicket-keeper), Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan (wicket-keeper), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan.
Full schedule:
1st T20–12 January 2024 at Eden Park, Auckland
2nd T20: January 14, 2024, at Seddon Park, Hamilton
3rd T20–17 January 2024 at University Oval, Dunedin
4th T20–19 January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
5th T20–21 January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch