Amir, Imad return as Pakistan announces squad for New Zealand T20I series

LAHORE: During a press conference in Lahore, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Selection Committee announced the Pakistan team squad for the five-T20I series against New Zealand scheduled to be held in Rawalpindi and Lahore from April 18 to 27.

Selection Committee member Wahab Riaz announced the 17-player Pakistan men’s cricket team for the series against the Kiwis.

The announcement made the comeback of all-rounder Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir in international cricket. Both cricketers have recently withdrawn their retirement after positive performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL 9).

According to a PCB press release, two highly talented players Irfan Khan and Usman Khan earned the selectors’ nod following impressive performances in the Pakistan Super League. Another uncapped player inducted into the squad for the home series is wrist spinner Abrar Ahmed who impressed world cricket with his magical debut against England in the December 2022 Test series picking a 5-wicket haul in the first session on Test debut.

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Irfan Khan of Karachi Kings was awarded the Emerging Player and Best Fielder of the PSL 9 after scoring 171 runs at a strike rate of 140.16. Overall, the 21-year-old Mianwali-born Irfan has also represented Pakistan in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cups 2020 and 2022, it added.

“Usman Khan of Multan Sultans smashed two centuries and two half-centuries in the most recent event to help his side reach the final of PSL 9. In the HBL PSL 8, the 28-year-old Karachi-born right-hander had smashed a 36-ball century against Quetta Gladiators – the fastest century in the tournament’s history. Overall, Usman has featured in 36 T20s in which he has scored 1,207 runs at a strike rate of 146.12,” PCB statement reads.

Pakistan squad against New Zeland

Babar Azam (Captain), Muhammad Rizwan (WK), Azam Khan (WK), Iftikhar Ahmed, Muhammad Usman, Abrar Ahmed, Muhammad Amir, Imad Wasim, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Saim Ayub, Naseem Shah, Zaman Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Abbas Afridi, and Muhammad Imran Niazi.

Non-travelling reserves: Haseebullah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, and Salman Ali Agha

New Zealand Squad for Pakistan tour

Michael Bracewell (Captain), Tim Seifert (WK), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke (uncapped), Tim Robinson (uncapped), Ben Sears, Ish Sodhi.

New Zealand Cricket announced that senior players Trent Boult, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitch Santner, and Kane Williamson were all unavailable due to Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments.

Will Young was also unavailable for selection as he takes up a winter contract with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, as was Tom Latham, who is awaiting the birth of his second child, the NZC said.