Pakistan T20 squad under Salman Agha arrives in New Zealand for five-match series

 

Pakistan’s T20 squad under newly-appointed captain Agha Salman has arrived in New Zealand for an exciting five-match T20 series against the Black Caps starting from March 16. The highly anticipated series will serve as an important preparation for both teams ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup later this year.

A new era under Salman Agha

Agha Salman’s appointment as the T20I captain marks a new phase for Pakistan cricket. With veteran all-rounder Shadab Khan serving as vice-captain, the squad features a mix of young talent and experienced players. Among the new faces, Abdul Samad and Hassan Nawaz will make their international debuts, bringing new energy to the team.

Series Schedule

The series will begin in Christchurch on March 16, followed by matches in Dunedin, Auckland, Mount Maunganui and Wellington. After the T20I series, both teams will also play three ODIs, which will conclude on April 5.

Pakistan tour schedule:

March 16-1st T20, Christchurch

March 18-2nd T20, Dunedin

March 21-3rd T20, Auckland

March 23-4th T20, Mount Maunganui

March 26-5th T20I, Wellington

March 29-1st ODI, Napier

April 2-2nd ODI, Hamilton

April 5-3rd ODI, Mount Maunganui

Pakistan T20 squad

The squad includes a balanced combination of power hitters, all-rounders and a strong bowling line-up. Key players include newcomers Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, and Mohammad Harris.

Squad: Umar Bin Yousuf (captain), Abdul Samad Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hassan Nawaz, Jehandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Omer Bin Yousuf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Makim, Usman Khan.

News Zealand squad 

Led by Michael Bracewell, New Zealand have announced a 15-man squad with several experienced players returning after injuries. Ish Sodhi and Ben Sears are back, while Matt Henry has joined for the last two T20Is.

Squad: Michael Bracewell (captain) Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zachary Fawkes (games 4 and 5) Mitchell Hay, Matt Henry (games 4 and 5) Kyle Jamieson (games 1-3) Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Will O'Reilly (games 1-3) Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.

Head-to-head and past encounters

The first match of the last T20 series between these two teams, scheduled to be held in Pakistan in April 2024, ended in a thrilling 2-2 draw after rain washed out. Given the competitive nature of both the sides, this series promises to be a fierce contest.

What to expect?

Salman Agha's leadership test: With Babar Azam stepping down from the white-ball captaincy, all eyes will be on Agha Salman and how he handles the responsibility.

Debutants in action: Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz can be game-changers if given the right opportunities.

Battle of the Pacers: Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf will play key roles for Pakistan while New Zealand’s fast bowling including Jamieson and Henry could trouble Pakistan’s batting line-up.

Spinners in focus: For New Zealand, the return of Ish Sodhi and Shadab Khan’s all-round performance will be crucial in determining the outcome of the matches.

Final thoughts

Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand is set to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams aiming to fine-tune their strategies ahead of the T20 World Cup. Fans can expect high-octane cricket as both sides battle it out in a variety of playing conditions.