PAK vs NZ: Squad announcement for New Zealand home series delayed

• Pakistan T20I squad vs New Zealand announcement has been delayed.
• Selectors met with Captain Babar Azam to discuss players.
• Shaheen Afridi might be rested for some/all of the series.

The announcement of the Pakistan squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand may not occur before April 8, as the selectors are scheduled to meet again on Sunday, sources say.

The squad was initially expected to be announced this week, but the announcement has been postponed.

After discussing potential players for the series with captain Babar Azam in Kakul, where the national team is currently participating in a fitness camp supervised by the Pakistan Army, the selectors have returned to Lahore.

Previously, it was reported that the players being considered for the five-match series include Babar, Saim Ayub, Muhammad Rizwan, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Imad Waseem, Muhammad Amir, Zaman Khan, Usman Khan, Wasim Jr, Irfan Niazi and Abbas Afridi. Fakhar Zaman’s hand injury is also under review.

Fast bowler Haris Rauf, who sustained a shoulder injury during the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9, is not fully fit and will continue his rehabilitation process.

Reports also suggest that leading pacer Shaheen may miss a portion of the New Zealand series in accordance with the cricket board’s policy to reduce the workload on the team’s key fast bowlers.

There is a possibility that leading fast bowlers, including Shaheen, will be rested for the first part of the series or the entire series against the visitors.

A local news channel reported on Tuesday that consultations are ongoing to protect the pacers from unnecessary strain and to assess the form and fitness of new players.

On the other hand, fast bowlers who are returning have a higher chance of being included in the T20I series against the Kiwis.

The two teams will play three T20Is at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on April 18, 20, and 21. After that, both teams will move to Lahore to play the remaining two T20Is of the series on April 25 and 27, respectively.

Also Read

PCB expected to annouce national squad for New Zealand series soon

PCB is anticipated to reveal the team for NZ series. The announcement...