Pakistan Shaheens, under the leadership of Imran Butt, set to start their Zimbabwe tour with first four-dayer against their A team, starting on May 3 in Kwekwe.
The Shaheens squad, comprised of seven international cricketers, is looking forward to start the tour on a winning note. The competitive squad contains young energetic players alongside captain Imran, who is a Test cricketer, Hussain Talat (one ODI, 18 T20Is), Kamran Ghulam (one ODI), Mir Hamza (three Tests), Mohammad Ali (two Tests), Shahnawaz Dahani (two ODIs, 11 T20Is) and Saim Ayub (eight T20Is).
Pakistan will play two four-dayers and six one-dayers against Zimbabwe A team from May 3-27 Kwekwe, Harare and Mutare. It will be Pakistan Shaheens' first tour after 2021.
Before departing for Zimbabwe, Pakistan Shaheens had a 11-day training camp in Karachi followed by two-day camp in Lahore. Under the supervision of coaching staff led by former Test cricketer Aizaz Cheema, Pakistan Shaheens did extensive training session.
Imran Butt said: “Our preparations have been going well, we have been working on adapting to the conditions here. The players are determined to play their best cricket and make the most of this opportunity.
“The series against Zimbabwe A is a chance for us to test our skills against a quality opposition at their own backyard. We are eager to learn from this experience and improve as a team.
“Our players understand the importance of this series and what it could mean for their future prospects. They are all motivated to perform well and make a strong case for themselves.”
SQUAD
Imran Butt (captain) (Lahore), Hussain Talat (vice-captain) (Lahore), Aamir Jamal (Islamabad), Abdul Wahid Bangalzai (Quetta), Haseebullah (Quetta), Kamran Ghulam (Peshawar), Mehran Mumtaz (Rawalpindi), Mir Hamza (Karachi), Mohammad Ali (Sialkot), Mohammad Huraira (Sialkot), Mubasir Khan (Islamabad), Omair Bin Yousuf (Karachi), Qasim Akram (Lahore), Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper) (Islamabad) and Shahnawaz Dahani (Larkana). Saim Ayub (Karachi, 50-over matches only).
Reserves: Asif Mehmood (Hyderabad), Athar Mehmood (Gujranwala), Saad Khan (Hyderabad) and Waqar Ahmad (Peshawar)
Player Support Personnel – Aizaz Cheema (coach), Imran Abbas (manager), Saboor Ahmed (trainer), Muhammad Asad (physiotherapist) and Faisal Rai (team analyst). Abdul Rehman (Team Consultant, for 50-over matches only)
Tour schedule
3-6 May – 1st Four-day match; KSC, Kwekwe
10- 13 May – 2nd Four-day match; MSC, Mutare
17 May – 1st 50-over match; TSC, Harare
19 May – 2nd 50-over match; HSC, Harare
21 May – 3rd 50-over match; HSC, Harare
23 May – 4th 50-over match; OH, Harare
25 May – 5th 50-over match; HSC, Harare
27 May – 6th 50-over match; HSC, Harare