Srinagar, December 6: Former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed has made comeback into Pakistan T20 squad as Pakistan announced the 18 member squad for the upcoming T20 International series against hosts New Zealand.
Pakistan are scheduled to play three T20 matches against hosts on December 18, 20, and 22.
Sarfaraz has reclaimed his spot from Rohail Nazir, who will captain Pakistan Shaheens (A-Team) against New Zealand ‘A’.
As per statement the squad was finalised by Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam in consultation with Pakistan Shaheens coach Ijaz Ahmed, who also named his 16-player squad for the four-day match against New Zealand ‘A’ to be played in Whangarei from December 17.
Both Pakistan and Pakistan Shaheens squads are scheduled to depart for Queenstown on Tuesday, December 8, after completing their 14-day isolation period in Christchurch. In Queenstown, both sides will stay in different hotels and train at different times and according to their match requirements.
On December 14, Shaheens will travel to Whangarei, while Pakistan will head to Auckland on December 15 for the opening match of the three-match series.
Imad Wasim will depart for Australia on December 23 to play in Australia’s Big Bash League, while Mohammad Hafeez will leave for Pakistan on December 24 after the conclusion of the T20I series.
Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is:
Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Musa Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Qadir and Wahab Riaz.
Pakistan A for New Zealand ‘A’ four-day match:
Rohail Nazir (captain), Abid Ali, Amad Butt, Azhar Ali, Danish Aziz, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah, Zafar Gohar and Zeeshan Malik.