Team, coaching staff announcement for NZ series likely today

 Team, coaching staff announcement for NZ series likely today

Asher Butt 

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is poised to unveil the squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, with a press conference scheduled for Tuesday.

Alongside squad announcements, the PCB will also reveal appointments for coaching staff positions. Azhar Mahmood, a former Pakistan all-rounder with extensive coaching experience, is emerging as a strong candidate for the assistant coach slot.

Meanwhile, the national selection committee convened meeting with cricketers participating in the Kakul physical training camp at a local hotel in Islamabad. With 28 out of the 29 players of the camp in attendance, the meeting provided an opportunity for the selectors to discuss various aspects of the team's selection and strategy. Notably, Muhammad Rizwan was absent from the meeting as he had departed for Saudi Arabia to perform Umrah on Sunday night.

During the meeting, the selection committee briefed the players on the selection policy, emphasizing transparency and fairness in the selection process. Additionally, the committee outlined plans regarding the rotation policy and the inclusion of new players, ensuring opportunities for emerging talent.

Selectors Wahab Riaz, Muhammad Yusuf, Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Bilal Afzal, Hasan Cheema, and Usman Wahla were among those present at the meeting, actively engaging with the players and addressing their concerns.

The Pakistan cricket team's squad for the T20 series against New Zealand is set to be announced on Tuesday in Lahore. Subsequently, the New Zealand team is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on April 14 for a five-match T20I series.

Following the series against New Zealand, the Pakistan team is slated to tour England and Ireland, further enhancing their international exposure. Moreover, the team is gearing up to participate in the ICC T20 World Cup, scheduled to be held in America and the West Indies later this year.

The PCB is expected to announce an 18-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand. Notable players like Usman Khan, Imad Wasim, and Mohammad Amir are likely to be included.

The squad is anticipated to include Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Zaman Khan. Additionally, players such as Salman Ali Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim, and Fakhar Zaman are also expected to be part of the squad.

Unfortunately, Haris Rauf is expected to miss the series due to injury. Usman Khan is likely to replace him, providing depth to the bowling attack.

The PCB will announce appointments for coaching staff positions. Azhar Mahmood, with prior experience as the Pakistan national team's bowling coach and a key coaching member of Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League, is emerging as a strong candidate for the assistant coach slot.

Azhar Mahmood boasts significant coaching experience, having served as Pakistan's bowling coach from 2016 to 2019. His experience in county cricket and franchise cricket adds to his credentials as a potential assistant coach for the national team.

Pakistan and New Zealand are set to engage in a five-match T20I series scheduled to commence on April 18. The series promises to be a thrilling encounter between two formidable cricketing nations.

The meeting between the selection committee and cricketers at the Kakul training camp signifies the collaborative efforts to strengthen the national team and prepare for upcoming challenges. With strategic planning and inclusive decision-making, Pakistan cricket aims to excel on both domestic and international fronts, showcasing its prowess in the cricketing arena.

The impending announcements regarding the T20I squad for the New Zealand series and coaching staff appointments signify the PCB's commitment to strategic planning and strengthening the national team. With experienced candidates like Azhar Mahmood potentially joining the coaching setup, Pakistan cricket aims to continue its pursuit of excellence in the international arena.