Lahore April 04, 2023: Pakistan have named full-strength squads for the home T20I and ODI series against New Zealand, starting 14 April.
Shaheen Afridi, who was last seen in international action during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in November 2022, is back in both the T20I and ODI squads for the series against New Zealand after a successful recovery from a knee injury.
The star pacer was in action in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) where he captained Lahore Qalandars to victory. He led from the front with both bat and ball, scoring 133 runs at a strike-rate of 168.35 while also scalping 19 wickets.
Apart from Shaheen, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman and Haris Rauf too are back in the squad after being rested for the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan in Sharjah. The team missed the services of their star players as Afghanistan took the series 2-1, their first bilateral series victory in any format against Pakistan.
Ihsanullah, Saim Ayub and Zaman Khan impressed enough during the series in Sharjah to retain their places in the T20I squad against New Zealand. Ihsanullah is also in line for an ODI debut after a maiden call-up in the 50-over format.
Schedule change announced for Pakistan's ODI series against New Zealand
T20I squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), 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
ODI squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Usama Mir. Reserves: Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Tayyab Tahir
Ahead of the squad announcement, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed a change in itinerary for the New Zealand tour with the ODI series commencing on 27 April instead of 26 April. Rawalpindi is set to host one additional ODI before the action moves to Karachi for the remaining three matches.
Schedule:
14 Apr - 1st T20I, Lahore
15 Apr – 2nd T20I, Lahore
17 Apr – 3rd T20I, Lahore
20 Apr – 4th T20I, Rawalpindi
24 Apr – 5th T20I, Rawalpindi
27 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
29 Apr – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi
3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi
5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi
7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi
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