Fast bowler Mohammad Amir and spinner Imad Wasim made a comeback to the national team as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced is squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Addressing a news conference in Lahore on Tuesday, the national men’s selection committee announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
The selection committee has ensured that players are well-informed about the selection criteria, including rotation policies and the integration of new players, by keeping them in the loop.
Pakistan T20 squad
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan
Reserves: Haseebullah, Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr
The New Zealand team is set to arrive in Pakistan on April 14th for the five-match T20 series commencing on April 18th, with three matches scheduled in Pindi and the remaining two in Lahore.
New Zealand squad
Schedule:
* April 18: First T20I, Rawalpindi
* April 20: Second T20I, Rawalpindi
* April 21: Third T20I, Rawalpindi
* April 25: Fourth T20I, Lahore
- April 27: Fifth T20I, Lahore
The national selection committee members Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Bilal Afzal, Mohammad Yousuf and Wahab Riaz anveiled the 17-member Pakistan squad for the five-match T20I series against the Kiwis.
Amir and Imad Wasim recently came out of international retirement and made themselves available for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and the series leading up to the mega-event. Amir last played for Pakistan in 2020, while Imad Wasim played during New Zealand’s last tour of Pakistan in 2023.
Usman Khan, who played the previous two editions of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) as an overseas player from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), impressed the selection committee with his consistent batting exploits.
He was then approached by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to consider representing his homeland and was subsequently selected for the fitness camp held in Kakul.
The top-order batter scored 430 runs in seven outings during PSL 9 last month, including two centuries.
Uncapped right-handed batter Irfan Khan Niazi also earned his maiden call-up on the back of his impressive performance in the PSL, scoring 171 runs in eight outings at a brilliant strike rate of 140.16.
Pace bowler Naseem Shah, who had been out of action since the Asia Cup in 2019, made his comeback in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Subsequently, he found his way back into the national team for the series against New Zealand.
Allrounder Mohammad Nawaz was dropped due to his bad form, while Haris Rauf is out with a shoulder injury, suffered during the PSL 9 game between Lahore Qalandars and Karachi Kings.
Notably, this will be Babar Azam’s first assignment after his reinstatement as the white-ball captain of Pakistan.
In a press released issued by the PCB, Wahab Riaz said “The decision to include Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir was a straightforward one, given their availability for selection and considering Haris Rauf's injury and Mohammad Nawaz's current form. Both Amir and Imad possess undeniable match-winning capabilities, and we trust they will consistently deliver strong performances to bolster the team's objectives.
“We have communicated our overarching selection policy and strategy to all elite players, and there is complete alignment within the group. To ensure the policy's implementation in letter and spirit, I will closely collaborate with the team management during the series.
“As we prepare for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 in the USA and West Indies, this series holds significant importance for Pakistan. Rather than solely focusing on the formidable New Zealand side, we aim to introspect and identify areas for improvement. I anticipate that players will seize the opportunities presented to strengthen their claims for the World Cup.”