The cricket teams of Pakistan and New Zealand have mutually agreed to abstain from any practice and training sessions on Friday at the Pindi Stadium, Rawalpindi, ahead of their upcoming series matches.
Pakistan’s team had already announced their decision to take a day off on Thursday, while the Blackcaps opted to cancel their training session due to inclement weather conditions.
The Pindi Stadium is set to host two matches on Saturday and Sunday, respectively, while Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will stage the remaining two matches on Thursday and Saturday next week.
This series marks the third encounter between Pakistan and New Zealand in a span of 12 months. Last year, the two teams battled to a draw in Pakistan, with the series ending at two-all. Earlier this year, New Zealand emerged victorious with a 4-1 series win on their home turf.
Ahead of the series opener, both teams have finalized their squads:
Pakistan Squad:
• Babar Azam (c)
• Saim Ayub
• Mohammad Rizwan
• Usman Khan
• Iftikhar Ahmed
• Muhammad Irfan Khan
• Shadab Khan
• Shaheen Shah Afridi
• Naseem Shah
• Mohammad Amir
• Abrar Ahmed
New Zealand Squad:
• Michael Bracewell (c)
• Mark Chapman
• Josh Clarkson
• Jacob Duffy
• Dean Foxcroft
• Ben Lister
• James Neesham
• Tim Robinson
• Ben Sears
• Tim Seifert (wk)
• Ish Sodhi
With both teams opting for a day of rest, they aim to recharge and strategize ahead of the series kick-off. The anticipation is high as cricket enthusiasts eagerly await an exhilarating showdown between these two formidable sides.
As the series unfolds, fans can expect thrilling cricketing action as Pakistan seeks redemption on home soil, while New Zealand aims to maintain their winning momentum from their previous encounter earlier this year.
The series promises to be a spectacle of skill, strategy, and sportsmanship, as the cricketing world eagerly awaits the outcome of this highly anticipated clash between Pakistan and New Zealand.
