Pakistan Announces T20I Squad for New Zealand Series.
New Faces and Returning Veterans: Pakistan Announces T20I Squad for New Zealand Series
Pakistan has unveiled a 17-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from April 18th to 27th.
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The squad features a blend of exciting young talent and experienced campaigners making a comeback.
Fresh Blood Earns Call-Up
Two highly-rated players have been selected for the first time based on their impressive performances in the recently concluded HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL).
- Muhammad Irfan Khan: The 21-year-old middle-order batsman from Karachi Kings impressed everyone with his batting and fielding prowess in PSL 9. He was named both the Emerging Player and Best Fielder of the tournament, amassing 171 runs at a blistering strike rate of 140.16. Overall, Irfan boasts a T20 career spanning 34 matches with 499 runs scored at a strike rate of 135.96. He also represented Pakistan in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cups of 2020 and 2022.
- Usman Khan: The flamboyant right-handed opener from Multan Sultans was a force to be reckoned with in PSL 9. His blistering knock of a century in just 36 balls against Quetta Gladiators remains etched in the memory of fans, becoming the fastest century in PSL history. The 28-year-old Karachi native played a pivotal role in leading his team to the final, scoring two centuries and two half-centuries throughout the tournament. Usman has a total of 36 T20 matches under his belt, accumulating 1,207 runs with a strike rate of 146.12.
Uncapped Spinner Gets Another Chance
Wrist spinner Abrar Ahmed, who was previously named in the squad for the earlier T20I series against New Zealand but had to withdraw due to fitness concerns, finds himself back in contention. He will provide additional support to the other wrist spinner in the squad, Usama Mir.
Experienced Campaigners Return from Retirement
The inclusion of all-rounder Imad Wasim and fast bowler Mohammad Amir adds valuable experience to the squad. Both players recently announced their return from international retirement, making themselves available for selection.
- Imad Wasim: The seasoned all-rounder boasts a T20I career of 66 matches, contributing both with the bat (486 runs at a strike rate of 131.7) and the ball (65 wickets at an economy rate of 6.26). His last appearance for Pakistan came a year ago at his home ground in Rawalpindi during the New Zealand series.
- Mohammad Amir: The left-arm pacer, known for his aggressive bowling style, last played a T20I for Pakistan in August 2020 against England. He has a wealth of experience in the format, having taken 59 wickets at an economy rate of 7.02 in his 50 T20I appearances.
Full Pakistan T20I Squad for New Zealand Series:
- Babar Azam (Captain)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Azam Khan
- Fakhar Zaman
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Imad Wasim
- Mohammad Abbas Afridi
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Mohammad Amir
- Muhammad Irfan Khan
- Naseem Shah
- Saim Ayub
- Shadab Khan
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Usama Mir
- Usman Khan
- Zaman Khan
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