The Pakistan T20I squad is all set to leave Lahore tonight, heading to Auckland via Dubai for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand. This series will span from January 12 to 21 across Auckland, Hamilton, Dunedin, and Christchurch.
Among the traveling squad of 16 players, six – Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haseebullah Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Sahibzada Farhan – were part of a four-day intensive camp at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Under the guidance of High-Performance Coach Yasir Arafat, they engaged in various match scenarios and practice sessions focusing on modern T20 cricket skills.
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Arafat emphasized the significance of this preparation, aiming to equip the players with skills crucial for high-pressure games, aligning with the demands of contemporary cricket.
The camp served as a platform for new players to learn from seasoned professionals like Fakhar Zaman and Iftikhar Ahmed.
Additionally, left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz, released from the Test squad, joined other bowlers – Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf, and Usama Mir – to prepare for the T20I series. They will join the rest of the squad in Auckland on January 5.
The full squad includes familiar names like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan, along with promising talents such as Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Saim Ayub. The schedule comprises matches on January 12, 14, 17, 19, and 21 across different venues in New Zealand.
