Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appointed former legendary Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi as the interim chief selector of the Pakistan cricket team, ahead of the series against New Zealand. After a thorough discussion with skipper Babar Azam, Afridi has added 3 bowlers to the side to bolster the bowling department.
After losing to England in the finals of the ICC T20I World Cup 2022, Pakistan suffered a humiliating 0-3 loss at the hands of England in the Test format at home. It was a complete white-wash and it raised a lot of questions over the selection process in the team. PCB Chairman Ramiz Raza was removed from his post and famous Pakistani journalist Najam Sethi took over the charge.
Fast bowlers Shahnawaz Dahani and Mir Hamaz and off-spinner Sajid Khan have been included in Pakistan’s Test side. Notably, this was Shahid Afridi’s first task as Pakistan cricket team interim selector.
“As such, and taking into consideration recent form and performances, we have added fast bowlers Mir Hamza and Shahnawaz Dahani, and off-spinner Sajid Khan,” said Shahid Afridi.
Shahid Afridi also feels ‘confident’ on the inclusion of the three bowlers and feels that it would complement skipper Babar Azam on the field.
“I am confident the inclusion of three additional bowling resources will give Babar Azam more options to field the best available squad for the first Test,” said Shahid Afridi.
The first Test between Pakistan and New Zealand gets underway on Boxing Day (26th December). There will be 2 Test matches in this series, followed by 3 ODIs.
Pakistan Test squad for series against New Zealand
Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood and Zahid Mehmood.
