Category: PAK vs NZ

LAHORE: Pakistan squad for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against New Zealand will report at National Cricket Academy (NCA) today before starting their preparations for home assignment.

According to the details, players from other cities will start to assemble at the training camp tonight.

Abdullah Shafique and Faheem Ashraf will join the camp tomorrow while Fakhar Zaman will join the camp on April 10.

Pakistan’s head coach for the recently-concluded T20I series against Afghanistan Abdul Rehman will supervise the national men’s team’s training camp while bowling coach Umar Gul will assist him.

The New Zealand series-bound squad will partake in the three-day training camp from April 7 to 10 before playing an intra-squad match on the final day of the camp.

It is pertinent to mention that the green shirts will take on New Zealand in a five-match each T20I and ODI series, which will be played in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi from 14 April to 7 May.

Senior players including the trio of captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi returned to the squads for the home T20I and ODI series against New Zealand.

READ: PCB set to hand Pakistan Shaheens’ reins to Aizaz Cheema

LAHORE: Pakistan’s head coach for the recently-concluded T20I series against Afghanistan Abdul Rehman will supervise the national men’s team’s training camp for the home T20I series against New Zealand.

According to the details, the team’s training camp will commence here on Friday while the players have been directed to report at National Cricket Academy (NCA) by tomorrow.

Grant Bradburn, the national men’s team’s potential assistant coach is likely to join the squad on April 11 while Rehman will serve as his assistant coach following the former’s arrival. Whereas, Abdul Majeed will continue his duty as the fielding coach.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul, who was named as the bowling coach in the team’s coaching setup for the recently-held Afghanistan series will reach here tomorrow and continue his role with the national team.

Former South African cricketer Andrew Puttick will take up the role of the team’s batting coach upon his arrival here.

It is pertinent to mention that the green shirts will take on New Zealand in a five-match each T20I and ODI series, which will be played in Lahore, Rawalpindi and Karachi from 14 April to 7 May.

Senior players including the trio of captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi returned to the squads for the home T20I and ODI series against New Zealand.

READ: All-round Barmy Army edge Falcons to taste maiden FairBreak victory

LAHORE: Senior players including the trio of captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi returned as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) named full-strength squads for home T20I and ODI series against New Zealand.

Shaheen had missed five Tests and three ODIs against England and New Zealand post the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 as he was completing his rehabilitation following a knee injury he had sustained during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in July. He had subsequently missed the second Test against Sri Lanka, ODI series against the Netherlands, ACC Asia Cup in the UAE and the seven-match T20I series in Pakistan.

The 22-year-old, who has taken 99 Test, 62 ODI and 58 T20I wickets, staged a remarkable comeback in the HBL Pakistan Super League 8 when he inspired Lahore Qalandars to become the first side to successfully defend the title. Not only that, Shaheen’s own performance was outstanding both with the bat and the ball – he scored 133 runs at a strike rate of 168.35 and grabbed 19 wickets at an economy rate of 9.13. He was rightly named captain of the Team of HBL PSL 8.

Apart from Shaheen, also returning to both the squads are Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan. All these players had rested for last month’s three-T20I series against Afghanistan in Sharjah.

This means Babar Azam will resume his normal services as captain in the ODI and T20I series against New Zealand, while Shadab will return to his original position as vice-captain.

Three young guns – Ihsanullah, Saim Ayub and Zaman Khan – have been retained in the T20I squad following stellar performances in Sharjah, while Ihsanullah has also been added to the ODI squad for the first time in his career.

The squad will assemble in Lahore on 6 April where the training camp will commence on 7 April.

SQUADS:

T20I: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Zaman Khan.

ODI: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Usama Mir.

Revised Pakistan v New Zealand schedule:

14 Apr – 1^st T20I, Lahore
15 Apr – 2^nd T20I, Lahore
17 Apr – 3^rd T20I, Lahore
20 Apr – 4^th T20I, Rawalpindi
24 Apr – 5^th T20I, Rawalpindi
26 Apr – 1^st ODI, Rawalpindi
30 Apr – 2^nd ODI, Rawalpindi
3 May – 3^rd ODI, Karachi
5 May – 4^th ODI, Karachi
7 May – 5^th ODI, Karachi

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday, once again made a slight tweak to the schedule of the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, scheduled to commence on April 27.

Following the revised schedule, issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Rawalpindi, along with two T20Is and the first ODI, will also host the second ODI against New Zealand.

The two ODIs will be played on 27 and 29 April instead of 26 and 30 April, respectively.

Meanwhile, Karachi, which was originally scheduled to host four PAK vs NZ ODIs, will now stage three ODIs.

Rawalpindi to host two ODIs against New Zealand

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/i73cj8lqQB#PAKvNZ

— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) April 4, 2023

 

Notably, the tweaks in the schedule marked the second instance as the PCB also made changes to the schedule last month.

It is pertinent to mention that this is an additional tour by the New Zealand cricket team and the matches will count towards ICC Team Rankings.

The PAK vs NZ ODIs will help Pakistan to prepare their side for the ACC Asia Cup and ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, while the T20I will assist the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to continue with their rebuilding of the side for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will be held in the USA and West Indies in June/July 2024.

Revised Pakistan v New Zealand schedule:

14 Apr – 1^st T20I, Lahore
15 Apr – 2^nd T20I, Lahore
17 Apr – 3^rd T20I, Lahore
20 Apr – 4^th T20I, Rawalpindi
24 Apr – 5^th T20I, Rawalpindi
26 Apr – 1^st ODI, Rawalpindi
30 Apr – 2^nd ODI, Rawalpindi
3 May – 3^rd ODI, Karachi
5 May – 4^th ODI, Karachi
7 May – 5^th ODI, Karachi

CHRISTCHURCH: New Zealand Cricket (NZC) on Monday, announced a young 15-member squad for the upcoming ODI series against Pakistan under the leadership of wicketkeeper batter Tom Latham.

According to the details, New Zealand’s Latham-led ODI squad features two potential debutants Ben Lister and Cole McConchie.

McConchie won selection on the back of a strong season, scoring 1140 runs across formats and also picked up eight wickets, while Lister was part of the New Zealand’s squad for the recently-concluded ODI series against Sri Lanka but could not make it to the Playing XI.

The 15-man squad also marked further opportunities for recent ODI debutants Chad Bowes, Rachin Ravindra and Henry Shipley.

Those new faces are balanced by an experienced core including six members of the squad that made the final of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019.

Nine players from the squad also have recent experience in Pakistan, featuring in either the Test or ODI Squads that played in Karachi earlier this year.

Gary Stead said the prospect of taking on Pakistan across both white ball formats was an exciting one.

“We’ve enjoyed a number of exciting matches against Pakistan across both white ball formats in the last season home and way. They are a tough team no matter where you take them on.

“The successful ODI Series earlier this year in Pakistan provided big learning opportunities for the players and having more ODI match experience is fantastic in a World Cup year.

New Zealand ODI Squad:

Tom Latham (c), Tom Blundell, Chad Bowes, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Henry Nicholls, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young.

Pakistan v New Zealand Schedule:

14 Apr – 1st T20I, Lahore

15 Apr – 2nd T20I, Lahore

17 Apr – 3rd T20I, Lahore

20 Apr – 4th T20I, Rawalpindi

24 Apr – 5th T20I, Rawalpindi

26 Apr – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

30 Apr – 2nd ODI, Karachi

3 May – 3rd ODI, Karachi

5 May – 4th ODI, Karachi

7 May – 5th ODI, Karachi

LAHORE: The tickets for three T20Is between Pakistan and New Zealand here, scheduled on March 14, 15 and 17, will be available for purchase from Sunday.

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced it had kept the ticket prices at nominal rates, starting from Rs250, in order to ensure that the action would be accessible for all cricket fans.

According to the details, the ticketing price for the General enclosure – (Hanif Mohammad, Imtiaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Majid Khan, Nazar, Quaid, Saeed Ahmed and Zaheer Abbas – has been set ticket at PKR250, and a First-Class enclosure – Abdul Qadir, AH Kardar, Javed Miandad and Sarfaraz Nawaz – ticket is for PKR500.

Meanwhile, a Premium enclosure – Raja’s and Saeed Anwar – is for PKR1000 and a VIP enclosure – Fazal Mahmood and Imran Khan – is for PKR2000. Whereas the VVIP Wasim Akram Enclosure is for PKR3500.

🚨 Tickets for the 3️⃣ T20Is between Pakistan and New Zealand in Lahore will go on sale tomorrow 🎟️

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/qTYKH9tKT7#PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/RWsZTQXVtS

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) April 1, 2023

The tickets will be first available to purchase online at pcb.bookme.pk and fans can buy them using original ID cards.

In the second phase, however, physical tickets will be available from 6 April.

The details regarding sale points for Lahore T20Is and ticket details for the matches in Rawalpindi and Karachi will be announced in due course.

READ: Saqlain Mushtaq named New Zealand’s assistant coach for Pakistan tour 

KARACHI: Legendary Pakistan spinner and former head coach of the men’s national team Saqlain Mushtaq has been roped in by New Zealand Cricket (NZC) as the assistant coach’s role for their upcoming white-ball tour of Pakistan.

Saqlain’s first assignment with the Blackcaps will be the five-match each ODI and T20I series against Pakistan, scheduled from April 14 to May 7.

He served as the national men’s team’s head coach for about a 16-month period before his contract ended in February this year.

Notably, the legendary spinner did not get the contract extension as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) eyeing to appoint a new coaching staff led by former head coach Mickey Arthur.

Consequently, the chairman of the PCB Management Committee Najam Sethi has been in talks with the South Africa-based coach and the deal between the two parties has nearly been finalised.

It is worth mentioning that Arthur coached the national men’s side between 2016 and 2019. During his tenure, Pakistan won their last major ICC event – Champions Trophy 2017 – and also rose to the top spot in the T20I rankings.

The South African coach was then removed from the position following Pakistan’s fifth-place finish in the Cricket World Cup 2019.

READ: South Africa move closer to World Cup qualification with Netherlands win 

AUCKLAND: Wicketkeeper batter Tom Latham will lead New Zealand instead of  Kane Williamson as the Black Caps named their T20I squad for the upcoming tour of Pakistan. 

According to the details, Latham, who last played a T20I in September will return to the national colours and will take up the leadership role in the absence of New Zealand’s regular captain Williamson.

Latham will captain the 15-member squad which features potential T20 debutants Chad Bowes and Henry Shipley, along with several players returning to international T20 cricket on the back of the strong international and domestic form.

Tom Latham will return to international T20 action for the first time since 2021 to lead the BLACKCAPS T20 sides against Sri Lanka (home) and Pakistan (away). More | https://t.co/jzxlGum5JK #NZvSL #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/DNd31LkdKe

— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) March 26, 2023

 

According to the NZC, the Pakistan-bound squad will leave for the country on April 9 to play a five-match T20I series, scheduled from April 14 to 24.

New Zealand coach Gary Stead stated Latham’s comeback to T20 cricket imaged his capability to adapt his game and his leadership.

“We saw against India earlier this season the power and range of shots that Tom possess. His adaptability also means he can feature in a range of batting positions.

“He led an inexperienced T20 squad to Bangladesh in 2021 and we were really impressed with his leadership of that group during a COVID bubble tour.”

New Zealand’s Squad for Pakistan T20Is:

Tom Latham (c, wk), Chad Bowes, Mark Chapman, Dane Cleaver, Matt Henry, Ben Lister, Adam Milne, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Rachin Ravindra, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Will Young.

READ: Quinton de Kock’s berserk ton pulls record T20I win for South Africa

LAHORE: The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management committee on Saturday hinted at slight changes in New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan, scheduled in April 2023.

Sethi while addressing the media here at Gaddafi Stadium, responded to a question regarding the schedule of New Zealand’s white-ball tour of Pakistan in April and stated that slight changes have been made, keeping the political situation into account.

“A schedule was designed earlier but we have made some changes to it. The New Zealand series will go ahead and probably minor tweaking has been done to it,” said Sethi.

“Initially it was bound to start from Karachi and then shift to Lahore and so on. So, those certain changes have been made. But, I think everything is on target,” he concluded.

It is pertinent to mention that New Zealand will tour Pakistan in April this year to play a five-match each T20I and ODI series.

The T20I series will take place from April 13th to 23rd while the ODI series is scheduled from April 26th to May 7th.

National Bank Cricket Arena, Karachi will host the first four T20I matches, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore will host the fifth T20I and the first two ODIs, while the remaining three ODIs will be held at Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.

READ: ‘Mickey Arthur’s matter is in final stages,’ says Najam Sethi