Usman, Irfan earn maiden call, PCB being back Amir, Imad for New Zealand series

Usman, Irfan earn maiden call, PCB being back Amir, Imad for New Zealand series

Asher Butt

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Tuesday announced a 17-member team for the upcoming New Zealand T20 series bringing back two retired cricketers alongside two fresh faces and one of the PSL performers.

Pacer Mohammad Aamir, allrounder Imad Wasim, Usman Khan and Irfanullah Khan Niazi have been named in the team, what they called on performance basis. Whereas, Aamir and Imad made their selves available for selection after coming out of retirement.

Led by Babar Azam, who was recently reappointed white ball captain, the national selection panel including Mohammad Yousuf, Abdul Razzaq, Wahab Riaz, Asad Shafique, and Bilal Afzal (analyst) selected the team in consultation with the captain and the head coach.

Wahab stated that the team has been named, which features a mix of experienced campaigners and promising newcomers, reflecting the PCB's commitment to building a formidable lineup for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Alongside the squad announcement, the PCB also made headlines with its decision to replace Shaheen Afridi as the T20I captain, appointing Babar Azam as his successor. The move underscores the board's emphasis on effectively managing player workloads and ensuring the longevity of players' careers.

Two exciting debutants have earned their spots in the squad through stellar performances in domestic cricket and the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Usman Khan, renowned for his flamboyant batting style, has impressed selectors with consistent displays in the PSL over the past two years. Meanwhile, 21-year-old middle-order batsman Irfan Khan Niazi caught the selectors' attention with his standout performances in the recent HBL PSL 9, where he was awarded the Emerging Player and Best Fielder.

The squad sees the return of seasoned campaigners Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir, who recently came out of retirement. Both players bring valuable experience and expertise to the team, bolstering its depth in batting and bowling departments. Imad Wasim, known for his all-round capabilities, adds versatility to the squad, while Mohammad Amir's skillful fast bowling provides an additional dimension to the bowling attack.

These two players were in the recent past convinced by one of the selection committee members with surety of selection to come out of retirement. This so happened when the cricket world looks into the future but the PCB prefers taking two steps back while surging a step forward.

Amir was one of the players involved in spot-fixing the other two were Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif. But Amir was the only one allowed back while Salman who was earlier this year named advisor in the selection committee was removed from the position after widespread criticism. For Amir, PCB took a solid stand but for Salman the PCB then even did not stand by its decision.

The selection committee has emphasized the implementation of a rotation policy during the series to provide opportunities for various players and develop a strong team combination. This strategic approach aims to optimize team performance while managing player workloads effectively. Additionally, the series serves as crucial preparation for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup, offering players a platform to solidify their positions and refine their skills ahead of the prestigious tournament.

“We will finalise which boys will be part of the World Cup squad from Pakistan before April 25.”

Commenting on the return of Babar as captain as well as the lack of a vice captain in the team, Wahab said: “Babar Azam is the white ball captain. As far as the vice-captain is concerned, discussions are still continuing. We want somebody to stand by Babar. We will look into everything that is beneficial for the betterment of the team and make announcements later.”

Wahab on injury update on pacer Haris Rauf said that Rauf will “probably be fit for the England series” but will miss the five T20Is against New Zealand this month.

Rauf suffered a shoulder injury during the recently-concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine, where he was representing Lahore Qalandars.

Riaz, who will also serve as a senior manager during the New Zealand series, clarified the purpose of his new role. He stated that the concept of a Senior Manager is not new within the Pakistan Cricket Team and emphasized his responsibility to oversee player workload and rotation policy, which is a common practice in international cricket teams.

"Senior Manager is nothing new with the Pakistan Cricket Team. I will look into workload and rotation policy of players. This happens everywhere in other international teams," Wahab said.

Addressing the speculation surrounding tensions between Babar and Shaheen, Wahab Riaz remarked, "There was so much speculation in the media which gave a perception that if we had not gone to Kakul, they [Babar and Shaheen] might have hit each other."

“When we went there [Kakul], we saw that there was a lot of unity among the players. They used to play snooker together regularly after iftar. They would watch matches together and engage in cricket discussions and there was a really good environment. Their main aim is to win matches for Pakistan and you will see them doing that in future,” he added.

Regarding the decision to recommend Babar as the T20I captain over Shaheen, Wahab cited the intention to manage Shaheen Afridi's workload as the primary reason.

“We wanted to manage Shaheen Afridi's workload because he's our main strike bowler and we need him completely fit for the World Cup. Babar Azam is the most experienced captain in this squad, obviously, he hasn't won any trophy but still, due to his experience, we thought Babar is the right choice for captaincy at this moment," Wahab concluded.

Expressing their gratitude and excitement, both Usman Khan and Irfan Khan Niazi have emphasized their commitment to making the most of the opportunity and contributing to the team's success. Their inclusion reflects the PCB's focus on nurturing young talent and providing them with opportunities at the highest level of cricket. Meanwhile, Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir have expressed their eagerness to make significant contributions to the team's objectives, showcasing their match-winning capabilities on the international stage.

In a significant move, the PCB announced the appointment of Babar Azam as the new T20I captain, replacing Shaheen Afridi. The decision underscores the board's commitment to effectively managing player workloads and safeguarding the longevity of players' careers. By prioritizing rotation and rest, especially for key players like Afridi, the PCB aims to prevent burnout and potential injury risks, ensuring the availability of primary bowlers in prime condition.

As Pakistan gears up for the T20 series against New Zealand, the announcement of the squad and the decision on the T20I captaincy mark significant developments in the country's cricketing landscape. With a blend of youth and experience, the squad aims to deliver strong performances and build momentum ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup. The PCB's proactive approach towards player welfare and team performance sets the stage for an exciting series and underscores its commitment to excellence in cricket.

Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohmmad Amir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan and Zaman Khan.

Non-travelling reserves: Haseebullah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, and 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