Pakistan’s formidable T20 squad prepares to face off against New Zealand in a thrilling series. This highly anticipated series is scheduled to unfold across Auckland, Hamilton, Dunedin, and Christchurch from January 12 to January 21, promising fans an action-packed cricketing spectacle.
Tonight, six members of the Pakistan T20I squad are set to embark on their journey from Lahore, making their way to Auckland via Dubai.
The chosen six players, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haseebullah Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Sahibzada Farhan, form a formidable part of the 16-member squad.
Prior to their departure, these players, alongside nine additional talents, underwent an intensive preparation camp at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
Led by High-Performance Coach Yasir Arafat, the camp focused on elevating the players’ T20 skills through match scenarios and diverse practice sessions.
A significant aspect of the training involved emulating the strategies of attacking teams and honing the ability to dominate opponents under high-pressure situations.
The camp concluded on a positive note, with Arafat expressing satisfaction with the commitment and enthusiasm displayed by the players.
Arafat, in his media interaction, emphasized the importance of preparing the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, underscoring the need to explore new options and solidify bench strength.
He lauded the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for recognizing and rewarding domestic performers from the National T20 Cup, facilitating a valuable learning experience as senior players mingled with newcomers.
Adding to the squad’s firepower, left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz, recently released from the Test squad, joined fellow bowlers Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf, and Usama Mir to intensify their training for the T20I series. The quartet will depart from Australia on January 5, aligning with the rest of the T20 squad in Auckland.
Squad: Leading the charge is captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, supported by Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan (wicket-keeper), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan.
Cricket enthusiasts can mark their calendars for an exhilarating series with the following schedule:
1st T20: January 12, 2024, at Eden Park, Auckland
2nd T20: January 14, 2024, at Seddon Park, Hamilton
3rd T20: January 17, 2024, at University Oval, Dunedin
4th T20: January 19, 2024, at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
5th T20: January 21, 2024, at Hagley Oval, Christchurch