Pakistan Announces 18 Member Squad For the New Zealand T20s

Pakistan announced an 18 member squad for New Zealand T20s and hence, here is a look at the development.

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Sarfaraz Ahmed, Hussain Talat & Mohd. Hasnain Make A Comeback In Pakistan’s 18 Member Squad For The New Zealand T20s 

Former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed has made a comeback in Pakistan’s member squad which is a clear indication that the selector’s are concerned with Mohd. Rizwan’s poor form in the format. The wicket-keeper batsman then might as well play a game or two if Rizwan fails to perform yet again.

Also, part of the squad is Hussain Talat who makes a comeback following a decent run in the domestic season. Mohd. Hasnain’s impressive performance against Zimbabwe has earned him another international call and so, it is likely that he plays the first game alongside Shaheen Afridi and Wahab Riaz.

Also worth mentioning here is that the selectors also announced the Shaheen’s (Pakistan’s A-team) squad which includes a number of senior players who are expected to feature in the 4 day side match to acquire much needed practice ahead of the two match Test series.

The complete squad is as below.

Pakistan squad for The New Zealand T20Is:

Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Musa Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Qadir and Wahab Riaz.

Pakistan Shaheens for New Zealand ‘A’ four-day match:

Rohail Nazir (captain), Abid Ali, Amad Butt, Azhar Ali, Danish Aziz, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah, Zafar Gohar and Zeeshan Malik.

Read: Is PCB Responsible For The COVID 19 Controversy In New Zealand?

Misbah-ul-Haq Indirectly Criticizes the Isolation Protocols

While praising his boys and indirectly criticizing the isolation protocols head coach Misbah-ul-Haq said, “I want to compliment my players and the management team for their patience, sacrifices and the hardships they have endured to ensure they not only lead the safe resumption of international cricket during the Covid-19 pandemic since the series in England but also try to give their best every time they step on the field.

“Top professional athletes require a certain environment to prepare so that they can perform at the minimum expected levels every time they represent their countries. While we completely respect and understand the New Zealand Government Laws, which have been put in place for the health and safety of their public, there is no denying the fact that the implementation of certain regulations has affected our athletes, both mentally and physically prior to an international series.

“Nonetheless, when we will leave the isolation facility in the next day or two, we will try to put all this behind us and focus on the challenge of facing New Zealand in both the formats. New Zealand are a formidable side in their conditions and their recent performances against the West Indies confirm why they are ranked second in Tests and just behind us in T20Is in sixth position.

“For the T20Is, we have retained the squad that has been playing together for some time. The squad comprises young, talented and high-performing players, who are determined and eager to make names for themselves and further cement their places in the side.

“New Zealand boasts some of the best cricket facilities, which are backed by supportive and appreciative crowds. I want my players to make optimum use of the upcoming opportunities by expressing themselves by playing fearlessly every time they take the field. All the players have our backing and support, and all they now need to show is how much believe, faith and trust they have in their own capabilities.”