PCB Announcement for Upcoming Pakistan Squad for ODI Series: Shahid Afridi and Pakistan Cricket Board announced the squad for the upcoming One Day Series against New Zealand. The squad has seen the return of players like Fakhar Zaman and Haris Sohail.
Tayyab Tahir, Usama Mir, and Kamran Ghluam included in Pakistan’s squad for the One Day Series against New Zealand:
Pakistan have named a number of young players in their squads as well. Kamran Ghulam, Tayyab Tahir, and Usama Mir are the new names in the line-up. It would be interesting to see if they get a chance to play in the three-match series or not.
The three new players have been rewarded for their excellent performances in the ongoing Pakistan Cup, where they impressed with their brilliant performances. Tayyab Tahir is currently the leading run scorer in the Pakistan Cup, where he also won the player of the match award recently.
Kamran Ghulam is the fourth highest run scorer in Pakistan Cup this year. He has been around the circuit for quite some time now.
The other new name in Pakistan’s squad for the series against New Zealand is the leg spinner Usama Mir. Usama is currently leading the bowling charts in the Pakistan Cup with 17 wickets. His brilliance with the ball has elevated him from Pakistan Cup to Pakistan Cricket Team. Hopefully, the tall- leg spinner will do well in the ODIs.
Fakhar Zaman and Haris Sohail recalled:
A pleasant news for the Pakistani fans is the return of experience players like Haris Sohail and Fakhar Zaman to the line-up. Fakhar Zaman and Haris Sohail were not initially included in the probables for the series.
Fakhar Zaman was initially not included in the squad after a poor run of form in the Asia and World T20 last year. Fakhar was dropped from the World T20 Squad and later reincluded. However, an injury kept him away from the prestigious tournament where Pakistan did well and made it to the final.
However, Fakhar’s record in the ODIs is an impressive one. He has done pretty well over the years and averages in the high forties with a good enough strike rate. With the ICC Cricket World Cup scheduled this year, Fakhar’s inclusion in the Pakistan Cricket Team is a smart decision.
Another returning name in Pakistan’s squad for the series against New Zealand is Haris Sohail who last played for Pakistan in 2020. He has battled injuries and fitness issues throughout his career. It is actually nice to see him making a comeback at the age of 33. He can be a great addition to Pakistan’s vulnerable middle order.
Mohammad Rizwan is the only specialist wicket keeper in Pakistan’s squad while the fast bowler Haris Rauf has returned to the side.
Initially, the three-match One-Day International series against New Zealand was scheduled to take place in September of last year, but the visitors postponed their limited-overs tour just before the first ODI began, citing security concerns. The team had arrived in the country but refused to play after a fake mail circulated on social media.
Pakistan vs New Zealand | ODI Series Schedule:
The three one day matches are scheduled to take place in Karachi on January 9, 11, and 13.
Pakistan vs New Zealand | Pakistan’s Squad for the Series against New Zealand:
Babar Azam (c), Haris Rauf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Kamran Ghulam, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Salman Agha, Shan Masood, Usama Mir, Tayyab Tahir.
