The anticipated Pakistan Bowling Lineup for the opening T20I against New Zealand has been revealed ahead of the match scheduled for January 12 in Auckland.
The forefront of Pakistan’s pace attack will likely showcase Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf leading with Zaman Khan joining the ranks.
Aamer Jamal is expected to bring an all-around skill set to the bowling lineup, contributing both with the ball and the bat.
During practice, Shaheen, Haris, and Zaman were seen bowling together with the new ball in one net, while Mohammad Wasim Jr, Aamer Jamal, and Abbas Afridi were practicing at the adjacent net.
Usama Mir is tipped to be chosen over Mohammad Nawaz as the preferred spinner for the initial match.
The expected batting order seems to place Rizwan and Saim as the opening pair, followed by Babar Azam at number three, with Fakhar Zaman taking the fourth position.
Azam Khan is set for the fifth spot in the batting order, also shouldering the responsibility of wicketkeeping duties. Iftikhar Ahmed is anticipated to come in at sixth, though their positions might be interchangeable based on the game’s demands.
Pakistan Expected Playing XI:
- Saim Ayub
- Mohammad Rizwan (VC)
- Babar Azam
- Fakhar Zaman
- Azam Khan (wk)
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Aamer Jamal
- Shaheen Afridi (C)
- Usama Mir
- Haris Rauf
- Zaman Khan
Pakistan Squad for New Zealand T20Is:
- Shaheen Afridi (c)
- Aamir Jamal
- Abbas Afridi
- Abrar Ahmed
- Azam Khan (wk)
- Babar Azam
- Fakhar Zaman
- Haris Rauf
- Haseebullah (wk)
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Mohammad Wasim Jnr
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Saim Ayub
- Usama Mir
- Zaman Khan
New Zealand T20I Squad:
- Kane Williamson (c) (matches 1, 2, 4 and 5)
- Finn Allen
- Mark Chapman
- Josh Clarkson (match 3 only)
- Devon Conway (wk)
- Lockie Ferguson (matches 3, 4 and 5)
- Matt Henry
- Adam Milne
- Daryl Mitchell
- Glenn Phillips
- Mitchell Santner
- Ben Sears (matches 1 and 2)
- Tim Seifert (wk)
- Ish Sodhi
- Tim Southee
The Pakistan squad for the New Zealand T20Is includes players like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Azam Khan, Babar Azam, and more. Here’s the schedule for the T20I series:
– 1st T20 on 12th January 2024 at Eden Park, Auckland
– 2nd T20 on 14th January 2024 at Seddon Park, Hamilton
– 3rd T20 on 17th January 2024 at University Oval, Dunedin
– 4th T20 on 19th January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
– 5th T20 on 21st January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch