Possible Changes in Pakistan Cricket Team for Upcoming T20 Series Against New Zealand
Pakistan’s players are happy after winning against New Zealand.
Mohammad Haris, who participated in six One Day Internationals (ODIs) and nine Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for Pakistan, may be removed from the team.
The Pakistan team is likely to have several alterations for the upcoming five-match Twenty20 International (T20I) series against New Zealand next month, according to sources informed Geo News on Tuesday.
Chief Selector Wahab Riaz will reveal the team today at 3 pm for the series taking place in New Zealand from January 12 to 21, 2024.
Sources indicate that three wicketkeepers, including Muhammad Rizwan and Azam Khan, are likely to be included in the squad. Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan are also expected to be part of the 17-player team.
Farhan, who was the leading run-scorer in the recently finished domestic T20 in Karachi, is expected to make a comeback for Pakistan after five years, according to sources. He achieved an impressive record, scoring 492 runs at an average of 44.73 in 12 matches for the Peshawar region.
The 27-year-old opener has made a total of 40 runs in the three (T20Is) for Pakistan.
In addition to Farhan from Charsadda, Azam is also part of the national squad chosen for the New Zealand tour, as per the sources.
The 25-year-old, who is the son of former Test captain Moin Khan, has accumulated seven runs in the last five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) for Pakistan.
Sources suggest that fast bowler Aamir Jamal, who debuted in T20Is for Pakistan against England in 2021-2022, is likely to be chosen. Additionally, Abbas Afridi, the nephew of bowling coach Umar Gul, is expected to be selected for the first time, as per the sources.
Afridi took 23 wickets, the highest number of dismissals by a bowler in this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) tournament.
According to sources, Test captain Shan Masood is set to be included in the T20 squad. Additionally, pacers Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, and Usama Mir will also be part of the team. However, the inclusion of Abrar Ahmed in the squad is contingent on his fitness, as per the sources.
In total, the T20I squad is expected to have at least six fast bowlers.
Sources also indicated that Mohammad Haris, who participated in six ODIs and nine T20Is for Pakistan, is likely to be left out of the squad.
