Pak vs NZ: Mir Hamza, Shahnawaz Dahani, Sajid Khan added to Test squad

• Mir Hamza, Shahnawaz Dahani, and Sajid Khan selected for Test squad.
• The trio were selected ahead of the two-match Test series against New Zealand.
• The PCB’s Interim Selection Committee met in Lahore on Saturday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Interim Selection Committee on Saturday selected bowlers Mir Hamza, Shahnawaz Dahani, and Sajid Khan to the team ahead of Pakistan’s eagerly awaited two-match Test series against New Zealand.

The first episode of the series is set to air in Karachi on December 26 (Monday).

The committee’s meeting was presided over by Shahid Afridi, who joined the meeting via video link along with skipper Babar Azam, when the board made its decision.

Following the selection, Afridi stated that the selection committee had a fruitful conversation about the team and had come to the conclusion that the team’s bowling unit needed to be strengthened to offer it the best opportunity of getting 20 wickets in a game.

“As such, and taking into consideration recent form and performances, we have added fast bowlers Mir Hamza and Shahnawaz Dahani, and off-spinner Sajid Khan,” said Afridi.

“I am confident the inclusion of three additional bowling resources will give Babar Azam more options to field the best available squad for the first Test,” the former captain added.

Three players added to Pakistan Test squad

More details ➡️ https://t.co/jbaztu926i#PAKvNZ | #TayyariKiwiHai pic.twitter.com/7lXFPzVPTn

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 24, 2022

Hamza took 16 wickets in the four Quaid-e-Azam Trophy games, while Sajid claimed 21 wickets in the seven games. Due to his national duty, Dahani only participated in two four-day matches.

Sajid’s eighth and final Test came against Australia earlier this year in Lahore, whereas Mir Hamza’s sole Test was against Australia in Abu Dhabi in October 2018.

He has so far claimed 22 wickets, including eight for 42 last year in Dhaka against Bangladesh. Shahnawaz has played for Pakistan in two ODIs and 11 T20Is but has yet to appear in a Test match.

Test squad:

Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood and Zahid Mehmood

Revised itinerary

26-30 December — 1st Test, Karachi

2-6 January — 2nd Test, Karachi

9 January — 1st ODI, Karachi

11 January — 2nd ODI, Karachi

13 January — 3rd ODI, Karachi

Also Read

PAK vs NZ: First test match tickets have been put on sale

Tickets for the first Test match between Pakistan and New Zealand are...