Pakistan announces squad for first T20 against NZ

Pakistan on Thursday announced the 15-member squad for the first T20I against New Zealand in Auckland.

According to the reports, Shadab Khan will lead the side in absence of regular skipper Babar Azam who has been ruled out of the tour over a thumb fracture.

Squad for the first #NZvPAK T20I:

Shadab Khan (c)
Abdullah Shafique
Faheem Ashraf
Haider Ali
Haris Rauf
Hussain Talat
Iftikhar Ahmed
Imad Wasim
Khushdil Shah
Mohammad Hafeez
Mohammad Hasnain
Mohammad Rizwan
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Wahab Riaz#backtheboysingreen pic.twitter.com/sL9Abp9GPV

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— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 17, 2020

T20I series will be played at night in New Zealand, which means Pakistani fans will be able to catch the match toss at 10:30 am and the first ball at 11 am.

Waqar Younis, Pakistan’s bowling coach earlier expressed his deep concerns on the injury of Pakistani skipper Babar Azam.

In his statement, Waqar Younis said that Babar’s injury is a major setback as other teams are scared of him. He said that injury came at the wrong time, and there is no doubt that he is one of the best players in the world.

“These circumstances are not normal due to coronavirus and teams will suffer on tours but we all have got to deal with this and it is our job to get the best out of players,” he said.

Babar Azam ruled out of New Zealand T20Is after suffering a fracture in his right thumb during Sunday morning’s practice session.

Pak vs NZ T20I series schedule and time:

18 Dec – 1st T20I in Auckland – match begins 11 am

20 Dec – 1st T20I in Hamilton – match begins 11 am

22 Dec – 1st T20I in Napier – match begins 11 am

(All times are mentioned according to Pakistan Standard Time)