LAHORE: Pakistan squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand might not be announced before April 8 since the selectors will hold another meeting on Sunday, according to sources.
The squad was set to be announced this week, however it has now been delayed.
The selectors have already returned to Lahore after discussing the probables for the series with captain Babar Azam in Kakul, where the national squad is currently taking part in a fitness camp under the supervision of Pakistan Army.
Earlier it was reported that the players under consideration for the five-match series are Babar, Saim Ayub, Muhammad Rizwan, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Shadab Khan, Usama Mir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Imad Waseem, Muhammad Amir, Zaman Khan, Usman Khan, Wasim Jr, Irfan Niazi and Abbas Afridi. Whereas, Fakhar Zaman’s hand injury is being reviewed.
Fast bowler Haris Rauf, who suffered a shoulder injury during the recently concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9, is not completely fit and would continue the rehab process.
Meanwhile, there are also reports that the leading pacer Shaheen may miss a part of the New Zealand series in line with the policy of the cricket board to lessen the burden on team’s key fast bowlers.
There are chances that leading fast bowlers including Shaheen will be rested for the first part of the series or the complete series against the visitors.
The News reported Tuesday that there are ongoing consultations on the matter to protect the pacers from unnecessary burden and test the form and fitness of newcomers.
On the flip side, the fast bowlers who are making a comeback have more chances to be included in the T20I series against the Kiwis.
The two teams will play three T20Is at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on 18, 20 and 21 April. Following that, both sides will move to Lahore, where they will play the remaining two T20Is of the series on 25 and 27 April, respectively.
Sohail Imran Sohail Imran is a senior reporter for Geo News.