Anticipating Significant Alterations in Pakistan’s T20 Squad Against New Zealand
Numerous changes are expected in Pakistan’s lineup for the much-anticipated five-match T20I series against New Zealand next month, according to sources. Wahab Riaz, the team’s chief selector, is scheduled to reveal the Green Shirts’ squad at 3 pm today. The series will take place in New Zealand from January 12 to 21, 2024.
According to sources, the squad is expected to include three wicketkeepers—Muhammad Rizwan and Azam Khan. Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan are likely to secure a spot in the 17-player lineup. Farhan, the top scorer of the recently concluded domestic T20 in Karachi, is set to be selected again for Pakistan after five years, having scored 492 runs at an average of 44.73 in 12 matches for the Peshawar region.
The 27-year-old opening batsman has previously scored 40 runs in three T20Is for Pakistan. Besides Charsadda’s Farhan, Azam is also in the national squad selected for the tour of New Zealand. The 25-year-old, son of former Test captain Moin Khan, has scored seven runs in the last five T20Is for Pakistan.
Sources indicate that fast bowler Aamir Jamal, who made his T20I debut against England in 2021-2022, is also expected to be selected, while Abbas Afridi, bowling coach Umar Gul’s nephew, will be picked for the first time. Afridi clinched 23 wickets, the most dismissals by a bowler in this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL) tournament.
Test captain Shan Masood is also expected to be part of the T20 squad. Meanwhile, pacers Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, and Usama Mir will join the team, with Abrar Ahmed’s inclusion subject to fitness. Overall, at least six fast bowlers are expected to be included in the T20I squad.
Sources also suggest that Mohammad Haris, who played six ODIs and nine T20Is for Pakistan, is likely to be dropped from the squad.
