National Cricket Squad for New Zealand tour announced

LAHORE: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-Nov 11^th, 2020) Pakistan Cricket board (PCB) announced squad for New Zealand on Wednesday.

Babar Azam will lead the national team while veteran middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq was dropped from Pakistan’s 35-member squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

However, Mohammad Rizwan would be vice-captain in Tess and Shadab Khan will be vice-captain in white ball cricket.

Asad Shafiq who featured in 77 Test matches was dropped out of Pakistan red-ball squad for the first time in his 10-year career. He had played 72 consecutive Test matches—a record in Pakistan Test cricket.

“Babar Azam will lead the national team for New Zealand tour,” said the PCB, pointing out that Asad Shafiq was dropped.

According to the sources, he was dropped from the team due to poor performance in previous England tour.

“Asad Shafiq is well-versed batsman who I believe will focus on his game in the domestic first-class matches so that he could make his comeback like Sarfraz Ahmad,” said Chief Selector and Head Coach Misbahul Haq.

“I hope he will be back for upcoming Tests against South Africa and Zimbabwe,” he added.

The Chief selector announced squad for New Zealand tour after consulting six head coaches including Ijaza Ahmad and Saqlain Mushtaq.

The national squad comprising players and 20-member support personnel will fly to Lincoln on Nov 23 where they will undergo mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

Pakistan v New Zealand will be played according to the scheduled as under:

Dec 18 – 1st T20I, Eden Park, Auckland (1200 PST)

Dec 20 – 2nd T20I, Seddon Park, Hamilton (1200 PST)

Dec 22 – 3rd T20I, McLean Park, Napier (1200 PST)

Dec 26-30 – 1st Test, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui (0400 PST)

Jan 3-7 – 2nd Test, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (0400 PST)

Schedule of Shaheens vs New Zealand A will be announced soon after NZC’s confirmation.