The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is finalizing the national squad selection for the forthcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
An official announcement regarding the 18-member team is anticipated within the coming days.
Discussions are underway to determine the squad, with national team captain Babar Azam actively involved.
The team is currently engaged in intensive physical training overseen by the Pakistan Army.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently convened a meeting with the captain and selectors to deliberate on potential team members.
Given the home series advantage, an expanded 18-member squad is likely to be announced. The series commences on April 18th, with the New Zealand team arriving on April 14th.
Fast bowler Haris Rauf, recovering from a recent shoulder injury sustained during PSL 9, will be unavailable for the series.
The selection committee is evaluating established players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shadab Khan, alongside promising new talent. The status of Fakhar Zaman’s hand injury is under review.
Reports suggest that leading fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi may be rested for a portion or the entirety of the series. This aligns with the PCB’s established policy of managing the workload for key fast bowlers, potentially creating opportunities for returning bowlers and the assessment of emerging talent.