PAK vs NZ: PCB Announce Pakistan’s ODI Squad for New Zealand Series
Fakhar Zaman has returned as Pakistan announced a 16-member squad for the three-match ODI series against New Zealand.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Thursday (January 5) announced a 16-member squad for the three-match ODI series scheduled to be played in Karachi this month.
Fakhar Zaman has returned to the squad after recovering from injury while middle-order batter Haris Sohail, who last played an ODI for Pakistan in October 2020 has also been recalled for the series.
Tayyab Tahir, who has been a consistent performer in domestic cricket has earned his maiden call up while the leg-spinner Usama Mir has also been drafted in the squad in place of injured Shadab Khan.
Shahid Afridi, the interim chief selector provided an update on Shadab Khan’s unavailability:
“I spoke to Shadab this morning, he wasn’t feeling comfortable due to finger injury, that’s why he is not selected for the series against New Zealand.”
Afridi also revealed that the selection committee had a conversation with Babar Azam and coach Saqlain Mushtaq before announcing the ODI squad.
“We asked Babar and Saqlain to give their choice of 16 before finalising this squad, where we felt things can improve, we discussed these issues,” Afridi said.
“It was an important responsibility for me, there is no dearth of talent in Pakistan and it made me feel good. I am here for limited time but important was to keep Pakistan’s future in mind”
“Our mandate was to name squads for the series against New Zealand only but we have made our choices keeping the future in our mind. We have also given importance to performances in domestic cricket.”
Pakistan Squad for ODI Series vs New Zealand:
Babar Azam (C), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir and Usama Mir.
