LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced the much-awaited 17-member national squad for the T20I home series against New Zealand.
Recently retired pacer Mohammad Amir and all-rounder Imad Wasim have returned to the squad for the series.
Meanwhile, Usman Khan and Mohammad Irfan Khan will play for the national team. Two very talented players have won the heads of the selectors after their impressive performances in the Pakistan Super League.
Babar Azam will lead the team in the five match tour after being recently appointed as the captain of the Green Shirt for the white ball matches.
The five-match T20I series will be played on April 18 and the visiting team will leave for Pakistan on April 14.
Addressing a press conference, Wahab Riaz said that the PCB has announced a squad of 17 players and five have been kept as reserves, which means they will perform well before finalizing the World Cup squad before April 25.
“We will decide which boys will be in Pakistan’s World Cup squad before April 25.”
Commenting on Babar being the captain and the absence of the vice-captain in the team, Wahab said, “Babar Azam is the captain of the white ball. As for the vice captain, discussions are ongoing. We want someone to stand by Babar. “We will look at everything that is useful for the progress of the team and then we will make an announcement.”
Wahab also gave an injury update on pacer Haris Rauf, saying he would be “fit for the England series” but would miss the five T20Is against New Zealand.
In a press release issued by the PCB, Wahab said, “The decision to select Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir was taken immediately because of Haris Rauf’s injury and Mohammad Nawaz’s current form.”
“Both Amir and Imad have undeniable winning ability and we are confident they will deliver consistent strong performances to help the team achieve its goals,” he added.
group
Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Muhammad Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Amir, Irfan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan, Osama Mir
Reserves that do not travel
Haseebullah, Muhammad Ali, Wasim Jr, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Aga
