The highly-anticipated five-match Twenty20 International series between Pakistan and New Zealand next month is expected to feature a reshuffled Pakistani lineup, according to sources contacted. At 3 o’clock today, the team’s chief selector, Wahab Riaz, will announce the Green Shirts’ roster. Meanwhile, the dates of January 12–21, 2024, will find the series set in New Zealand.
Pakistan may make major T20 team changes for New Zealand series
Rumour has it that Azam Khan and Muhammad Rizwan, two wicketkeepers, will be named to the team. Both Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub are expected to be named to the 17-man roster. Rumour has it that Farhan, who topped the scoreboard in the just-ended domestic Twenty20 in Karachi, will be named to Pakistan’s squad for the first time in five years. For the Peshawar area, he played in 12 matches, scoring 492 runs at an average of 44.73.
In Pakistan’s three Twenty20 Internationals, the opening batsman, who is 27 years old, has scored 40 runs. Azam and Farhan of Charsadda are both named to the national team that will travel to New Zealand, according to the sources.
The son of former Pakistan Test captain Moin Khan, the 25-year-old has scored seven runs in his team’s last five Twenty20 Internationals. If reports are to be believed, the following players will be selected. Fast bowler Aamir Jamal debuted in the Twenty20 International format for Pakistan in the 2021–2022 season against England. Also, Abbas Afridi, the nephew of bowling coach Umar Gul, will be playing in his first international match.
With 23 wickets, Afridi set a new record for bowlers in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) competition of 2018. Sources also revealed that Shan Masood, who captains the Test team, will be participating in the T20 tournament. Abrar Ahmed’s participation in the team is contingent upon his fitness, they added. Additionally, pacers Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, and Usama Mir will be joining the group.
The Twenty20 International team will feature no less than six quick bowlers. According to the sources, Mohammad Haris, who has played in nine Twenty20 Internationals and six One-Day Internationals for Pakistan, will most likely not be selected for the team.
