Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam will lead the team in both T20I and ODI series against New Zealand. The selection committee will hold a meeting next week to finalize the squad for the upcoming series, taking Babar Azam’s input into consideration. The meeting is scheduled to take place on April 3rd or 4th.
Despite Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the recent series against Afghanistan, sources suggest that only a few changes are expected for the T20I matches against New Zealand. The selectors may adopt a strategy of giving another chance to younger players for the series. Usama Mir, Haseebullah, and Abrar Ahmed are reportedly in contention for selection in the squad. It remains to be seen which players will make the final cut and represent Pakistan in the upcoming T20I and ODI series against New Zealand.
The upcoming T20I and ODI series against New Zealand will see Babar Azam once again take on the role of captain. A selection committee meeting is scheduled to take place next week, and the squad for both series will be announced after consultation with Babar Azam. Despite the failure in the recent series against Afghanistan, only a few changes are expected for the T20I matches against New Zealand.
The team is considering giving another chance to younger players, with Usama Mir, Haseebullah, and Abrar Ahmed in contention for the T20I series. However, for the ODI matches, the Pakistan Cricket Board officials have decided to avoid more experiments and enter the field with a strong combination of senior players, keeping the preparations for the 2023 World Cup in mind.
A training camp is likely to be held at the National Cricket Academy from April 7th or 8th, where the T20I and ODI squad players will train together. After the selected players leave for the T20I series, the rest of the players will continue to train at the National Cricket Academy for the ODI matches. Due to Ramadan, there is a proposed plan to train at night, but the final decision will be made by the team management after consultation with the team captain.
Pakistan v New Zealand schedule:
14 Apr – 1st T20I, Lahore
15 Apr – 2nd T20I, Lahore
17 Apr – 3rd T20I, Lahore
20 Apr – 4th T20I, Rawalpindi
24 Apr – 5th T20I, Rawalpindi
26 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
30 Apr – 2nd ODI, Karachi
3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi
5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi
7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi
