General Pakistan - New Zealand Cricket Series 2024 (1 Viewer)

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Pakistan series 'awesome opportunity' for depleted NZ: Allen

Agencies
April 6, 2024

Despite eight of their senior players set to miss the upcoming five-match Twenty20 International series against Pakistan, New Zealand opener Finn Allen believes the BlackCaps would still be a handful for the Babar Azam-led hosts.

New Zealand will be without the likes of Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Santner and Kane Williamson, with all engaged in the ongoing Indian Premier League, when they land in Rawalpindi ahead of the first T20, scheduled for April 18.

"It is an awesome opportunity with players being away at the IPL, for young guys such as Tim Robinson, who have shown their talent and had a good Super Smash tournament here in New Zealand during the summer," Allen was quoted as saying by Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency on Friday.

"… it is rewarding for those guys and allows them to get an opportunity at the top level to see where they stand against a formidable Pakistan side," he said.

All-rounder Michael Bracewell will be leading the side. He has not been seen in international cricket since March last year following a ruptured Achilles and a broken finger and returned to domestic engagements only recently.

"I guess with the upcoming series, we batted out with them at home not too long ago but it is on their turf now and we know from tours in the past, that they are pretty tough to beat at home," the 24-year-old said.

"Hopefully, Mark Chapman can pull through for the boys again like last time, but I think it will be a good challenge and a good series," he added.

Other first-choice players like Devon Conway, Will Young, Tim Southee, Colin Munro and Tom Latham are also missing for various reasons including injuries.

The big-hitting Allen, who has played 43 T20Is and has the highest score by a New Zealander in the format, all-rounder Jimmy Neesham and veteran spinner Ish Sodhi would be expected to be the guiding force for the side.

"… conditions will definitely be different, every game is a new game, and you have to start again, so I am looking forward to the challenges and different conditions, and seeing what we can come up with," he said of his own role.

Allen hoped that a solid performance against Pakistan would also help him in T20 World Cup selection.

"Every chance you get to play for New Zealand or represent your country is a try-out, and an opportunity to showcase your skills…hopefully, selection takes care of itself, just clear minded on going over to Pakistan and trying to contribute to winning a series," he said.

Published in Dawn, April 6th, 2024

 

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PCB announces 17-man squad for New Zealand T20I series

Dawn.com | Reuters
April 9, 2024

The men's cricket team selection committee's hold a press conference at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium. — Photo courtesy PCB


The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced the 17-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.

The five-match series will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from April 18-27.

In a press release, the cricket board stated that uncapped middle-order batsmen Muhammad Irfan Khan and opener Usman Khan had "earned the selectors' nod" following their impressive performances in the most recent edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Also included in the squad were wrist spinner Abrar Ahmed, all-rounder Imad Wasim and fast bowler Mohammad Amir.

Imad and Amir had both recently decided to take back their retirement from international cricket last month and were also part of the training camp organised by the army in Kakul.

Hard-hitting batter Usman Khan, who was banned from Emirati cricket for five years earlier this month, was also included in the squad. Babar Azam will be leading the squad after replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi, also included in the team, as the T20I captain.

Selection committee member and senior team manager Wahab Riaz said that the decision to include Imad and Amir "was a straightforward one, given their availability for selection and considering Haris Rauf's injury and Mohammad Nawaz's current form".

"Both Amir and Imad possess undeniable match-winning capabilities, and we trust they will consistently deliver strong performances to bolster the team's objectives," Riaz was quoted as saying by the PCB.

Mohammad Yousuf, selection committee member and batting coach, meanwhile, congratulated Irfan and Usman on their selection, adding that they had "undeniably earned their spots through a string of consistent, outstanding performances".

Yousuf also said that that they were optimistic about the players and their potential to become "key impact players", adding that he trusted that they will their "upward trajectory, sparing no effort in proving themselves worthy of the selectors' and captain's trust and confidence".

The PCB quoted Irfan as saying that he was "deeply honoured" to have been selected.

"Breaking into such a formidable team like Pakistan is a testament to the dedication and effort I have put into my game. Now, my focus is on seizing this opportunity and solidifying my position within the team," he asserted.

"I am fully committed to continuing to work diligently and proving myself worthy of the trust placed in me by the captain and selectors," he said.

Usman also expressed gratitude at being chosen in the squad.

"This selection validates the relentless effort and dedication I have poured into my craft, and I am fully committed to upholding the high standards I have set for myself," he said.

The selection team also held a press conference in Lahore where they were asked about the inclusion of Azam Khan and his fitness. Bilal Afzal, another member of the selection committee, highlighted Azam's performance statistics, and the strategies devised by the coach and captain.

Afzal asserted that the committee thought to give Azam a "big fair chance", expressing the hope that his confidence would build up in the run up to the T20 World Cup.

Asked whether Babar's captaincy was limited to the end of the New Zealand series, Wahab noted that the batsman was the white-ball captain. He further said that discussions were ongoing on deciding the vice captain.

"We want somebody to stand by Babar, and for that, we are looking at everything that is in the team's benefit," the senior team manager said.

Responding to another question, he said, "When announcing the captain for the World Cup, we wanted him to be a very experienced player who has been in captaincy so there was no better choice than Babar."

Calling Babar "one of the best players in the team and most experienced player", Wahab acknowledged that he had not won any major tournament yet but there was "always room for improvement".

He also justified the selection of Usman. "Usman has been scoring runs for the last two-three years so he deserved selection and if there are any other issues Pakistan Cricket Board will be dealing with them," he said.

Team
Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohmmad Amir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan.

 

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Irfan, Usman earn maiden calls as Pakistan announce squad for New Zealand series

BR Web Desk
April 9, 2024

Uncapped middle-order batter Muhammad Irfan Khan and opener Usman Khan have been named in the 17-player Pakistan men's cricket team for the T20I series against New Zealand.

The five-match T20I series will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from April 18 to 27.

The two players have earned the selectors' nod following impressive performances in the Pakistan Super League.

Irfan Khan of Karachi Kings was adjudged the Emerging Player and Best Fielder of PSL 9 after scoring 171 runs at a strike rate of 140.16. Overall, the 21-year-old Mianwali-born Irfan has featured in 34 T20s in which he has scored 499 runs at a strike rate of 135.96. Irfan has also represented Pakistan in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cups 2020 and 2022.

Usman Khan of Multan Sultans smashed two centuries and two half-centuries in the recent event to help his side reach the final where they lost to Islamabad United in a last-ball thriller.

In 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 history. Overall, Usman has featured in 36 T20s in which he has scored 1,207 runs at a strike rate of 146.12.

Irfan was elated about his selection and expressed his resolve to continue to work diligently and prove myself worthy of the trust placed in me by the captain and selectors.

"I am deeply honoured to have been selected in the Pakistan squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. Breaking into such a formidable team like Pakistan is a testament to the dedication and effort I have put into my game. Now, my focus is on seizing this opportunity and solidifying my position within the team.

"I am fully committed to continuing to work diligently and proving myself worthy of the trust placed in me by the captain and selectors."

Meanwhile, Usman Khan, who gave up his contract with the UAE cricket board to play for Pakistan, said it was his dream goal to represent Pakistan.

"Being chosen to represent one's country is the ultimate dream and goal for any athlete. Today, I am thrilled and filled with joy as the selectors have granted me the opportunity to be part of the upcoming series against New Zealand. This selection validates the relentless effort and dedication I have poured into my craft, and I am fully committed to upholding the high standards I have set for myself."

Abrar retained, Imad and Mohammad Amir recalled

The other uncapped player in the squad is wrist spinner Abrar Ahmed. He was named in the squad for the T20I series against New Zealand earlier this year, but returned after Australia Tests due to fitness reasons. He will be the second wrist spinner in the side along with Usama Mir.

Also named in the squad are all-rounder Imad Wasim and fast bowler Mohammad Amir. The two experienced campaigners became available after coming out of retirement last month.

Imad has played 66 T20Is in which he has scored 486 runs at a strike rate of 131.7 and taken 65 wickets at an economy of 6.26. He last played for Pakistan 12 months ago at his home ground in Rawalpindi against New Zealand.

Amir, who last played for Pakistan in August 2020 at Old Trafford against England, has played in 50 T20Is in which he has taken 59 wickets at an economy of 7.02.

Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is:

• Babar Azam (captain)
• Abrar Ahmed
• Azam Khan
• Fakhar Zaman
• Iftikhar Ahmed
• Imad Wasim
• Mohammad Abbas Afridi
• Mohammad Rizwan
• Mohmmad Amir
• Muhammad Irfan Khan
• Naseem Shah
• Saim Ayub
• Shadab Khan
• Shaheen Shah Afridi
• Usama Mir
• Usman Khan
• Zaman Khan

Non-travelling reserves:

• Haseebullah
• Mohammad Ali
• Mohammad Wasim Jnr
• Sahibzada Farhan
• Salman Ali Agha

 

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Tom Blundell, Zak Foulkes called up for New Zealand T20 tour of Pakistan as injuries hit Black Caps

Blundell and Foulkes will respectively replace promising batter Finn Allen and veteran paceman Adam Milne.