Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has stirred up excitement among cricket enthusiasts as they unveil their 17-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, set to kick off on 18th April.

The squad announcement not only sees the return of Babar Azam as captain but also marks the comeback of seasoned campaigners Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, who have decided to reverse their retirement decisions ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

See Also: IPL 2024: Key points, Match 22, CSK vs KKR

Babar Azam Returns as Captain

After a brief hiatus, Babar Azam, the talismanic batsman, is back at the helm as the captain of Pakistan’s white-ball side. With his exceptional batting prowess and astute leadership skills, Azam is expected to lead the team from the front in the upcoming series against New Zealand.

Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim’s Comeback

Fans were pleased to learn that Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim are included in the squad. Both players have decided to make themselves available for selection, reversing their retirement decisions and bolstering Pakistan’s squad with their experience and skill set.

Coaching Staff Revamp

In addition to the player announcements, PCB has also revamped the coaching staff for the upcoming assignment. Former all-rounder Azhar Mahmood has been appointed as the head coach for the five-match series, with Mohammad Yousuf and Saeed Ajmal joining as batting and spin-bowling coaches, respectively. Wahab Riaz, previously the chief selector, will now serve as the team manager, adding depth to the management setup.

Preparation for the T20 World Cup

Pakistan’s squad announcement is a testament to their meticulous preparation for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024. The team has recently concluded a rigorous fitness camp in Kakul, Abbottabad, aimed at fine-tuning their skills and boosting their physical fitness ahead of the mega-event.

Pakistan’s Packed Schedule

With the T20 World Cup looming on the horizon, Pakistan’s schedule is packed with crucial fixtures. After the series against New Zealand, they are set to travel to Ireland for a three-match T20I series. After this, Pakistan will face encounter against defending champions England in four T20Is.

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

Non-travelling reserves: Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha.

New Zealand series schedule:

18 April – 1st T20I, Rawalpindi
20 April – 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi
21 April – 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi
25 April – 4th T20I, Lahore
27 April – 5th T20I, Lahore