Pakistan Team is not expected to make many changes in their side despite their loss against Afghanistan in the three-match ODI series in Sharjah. According to reports, Babar Azam is set to return for the Men in green to lead them against the young New Zealand side.
The New Zealand team will tour Pakistan for a five-match T20 series starting on April 14, followed 5-match ODI series which acts as important preparation for ODI World Cup, scheduled later this year in India. The ODI series will be held from April 26 to May 7.
Earlier during the Afghanistan T20 series Pakistan team had four debutants in their lineup with the stars from Pakistan Super Leagues making their debut but failing miserably for the national side in Sharjah. As the Rashid Khan-led Afghanistan created history to beat the Men in Green in the second T20I to clinch their first-ever series victory over Pakistan.
According to the statement from PCB, this New Zealand series will help their team prepare for Asia Cup and ODI World Cup, and in T20 they will be giving chance to players who have the potential to play in the 2024 T20 World Cup. Pakistan could not cross the final hurdle against England in the 2022 world cup.
A Preparatory 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. According to reports, it has been decided that Babar Azam would lead Pakistan in both formats against New Zealand.
Babar Azam has been facing criticism regarding his captaincy after he failed to win a single Test at home against England and New Zealand. Many former cricketers want Babar Azam to give up his leadership role in one format and want Shadab Khan to take over T20 captaincy but the Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan failed to win the series Afghanistan in Sharjah.
Tom Latham Set To Lead New Zealand Against Pakistan Team
Tom Lathan will return to lead the New Zealand team in the T20I series against Pakistan in the absence of Tim Southee and Kane Williamson, who will miss out on the series due to their participation in the Indian Premier League 2023. It will be interesting how young New Zealand plays against Pakistan.
New Zealand Squad: Tom Latham (c, wk), Chad Bowes, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Adam Milne, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young
The 1st T20 between New Zealand and Pakistan will be held on April 14, in Lahore. Meanwhile, the ODI series will kick start in Rawalpindi on April 26. The remaining four ODIs will take place in Karachi.