Probable Pakistan ODI squad for New Zealand tour

On Monday (December 4), it was reported that the Pakistani Cricket Board (PCB) is very likely to name the squad that will travel to New Zealand, for 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is against the Blackcaps, which will keep them on their toes all January. As per reports, there is a high probability of Azhar Ali returning to the squad.

The probability has now increased further, since sources at Geo News have revealed a squad of 15 players which is most likely to catch the flight headed towards the country down under. While opening batsman Azhar is likely to return to the ODI squad, there is a bad news doublet waiting for Ahmed Shehzad.

Despite amazing performances in the National T20 Cup, he will most probably not be in either of the ODI or the Test squad. While Ali is expected to open the proceedings for Sarfraz Ahmed‘s men in ODIs, PCB wants highly rated Babar Azam to take the opener’s responsibility in the shortest format of the game.

Since Usman Khan Shinwari has sustained a back injury which will keep him out of the selectors’ plans temporarily, left-arm pacer Junaid Khan can expect a knock on his door, since he is expected to make the squad. All the hot prospects, including Amir, Hasan, Shadab and Imam-ul-Haq are expected to be in the squad.

Expected Pakistan ODI squad for series against New Zealand: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain & wicket-keeper),Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Amir, Rumman Raees and Hasan Ali.

Pakistan’s ODI fixtures against the Kiwis: