LAHORE: Despite the failure in the series against Afghanistan, only a few changes are expected for the T20I matches against New Zealand, sources said. Usama Mir, Haseebullah, and Abrar Ahmed are in contention for the series.
However, it has been decided to avoid experiments in the ODI series. Keeping in view the preparations for the 2023 World Cup, Pakistan will enter the field with a strong combination with all senior players.
A training camp is likely to be held at the National Cricket Academy from April 7 or 8 where the T20I and ODI squad players will train together. After the departure of the selected players for the T20I series, the rest of the players will continue to train in the National Cricket Academy for the ODI matches. Due to Ramadan, there is a plan to train at night. The final decision will be made by the team management after consultation with the team's captain.
Meanwhile, it has been decided that Babar Azam would lead Pakistan in both formats against New Zealand. There had been reports that Babar might be given further rest but the cricket chiefs of the country have decided to have regular captain Babar lead the side in ODIs as well as T20Is.
It must be noted that an all-round solid performance by Pakistan helped them avoid series whitewash against Afghanistan in Sharjah on Monday.
After losing first two T20Is, Pakistan displayed a decent show in third and final game of the series.
Pakistani bowlers were set to defend 183 runs and they managed to do it brilliantly to help the Shadab Khan-led unit finish the series on a high as they beat Afghanistan by 66 runs.
This was Afghanistan's first-ever series win against Pakistan.
The Afghanistan T20I series was Pakistan’s first since their T20 World Cup campaign in Australia last year, where they were the runners-up.
Pakistan v New Zealand schedule:
14 Apr - 1st T20I, Lahore
15 Apr – 2nd T20I, Lahore
17 Apr – 3rd T20I, Lahore
20 Apr – 4th T20I, Rawalpindi
24 Apr – 5th T20I, Rawalpindi
26 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
30 Apr – 2nd ODI, Karachi
3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi
5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi
7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi
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