Pakistan New Zealand Archives

New Zealand unveil squad for ODI series against Pakistan, Abbas earns maiden call-up

AUCKLAND: New Zealand Cricket (NZC) has announced a 13-member squad for the upcoming home ODI series against Pakistan, starting on 29 March.

Muhammad Abbas and Nick Kelly have earned their maiden calls to the New Zealand squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series at home against Pakistan.

However, after making himself unavailable, New Zealand stalwart Kane Williamson wasn’t considered for selection.

Due to workload management, towering fast bowler Kyle Jamieson, who played in the Champions Trophy and the ongoing T2OI series against Pakistan, will also miss the upcoming series.

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Injured pacer Matt Henry will remain on the sidelines as he is undergoing rehab for a shoulder and knee issue.

In the absence of seniors, Will O’Rourke will continue to lead the pace attack in the format after spearheading the attack in the shorter format.

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In addition, the seam attack will include Ben Sears, Jacob Duffy, and Nathan Smith, while Auckland legspinner Adithya Ashok has been brought back to the team after last representing New Zealand in December 2023.

Tom Latham will lead the side in Mitchell Santner’s absence, who is currently featuring in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Mitch Hay has been named the backup wicketkeeper for the Black Caps.

Abbas, a 21-year-old, is considered one of the most skilled all-format batsmen in New Zealand’s domestic cricket.

He is the son of Azhar Abbas Haraj, a former Pakistani player who, after relocating to New Zealand with his family, represented Wellington and Auckland. Currently, Abbas Sr serves as the assistant coach for the Wellington team.

Muhammad Abbas made his maiden List A century against Central Districts in New Plymouth last month. Abbas can also bowl left-arm seam and add depth to the attack.

Following the squad announcement, the New Zealand selection manager, Sam Wells, stated the upcoming series against Pakistan is an opportunity to test out the bench players

“With the next ICC ODI pinnacle event still two and half years away, the series is a perfect opportunity to introduce, or re-introduce in the case of Adi, these players to international cricket now,” Wells said.

New Zealand ODI squad
Tom Latham (capt, wk), Muhammad Abbas, Adithya Ashok, Michael Bracewell, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Mitch Hay (wk), Nick Kelly, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Ben Sears, Nathan Smith, Will Young

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Ahmed Shehzad terms Hasan’s ton ‘tight slap’ from young talent

Pakistani cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has praised young batter Hasan Nawaz for his record-setting century in the third T20I match against New Zealand on Friday.

In his third international match, the young opening batsman made a significant impact by scoring Pakistan’s fastest T20I century.

After struggling with two consecutive ducks in the first two matches of the series, Hasan Nawaz rebounded spectacularly by securing an unbeaten century, leading Pakistan to victory in this third game of the five-match series against New Zealand.

His performance garnered widespread recognition from the cricketing community.

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Among those who lauded him was Ahmed Shehzad, who celebrated Hasan Nawaz’s maiden century in a post on X and welcomed him to the distinguished group of Pakistani batters who have scored a T20I hundred.

Shehzad took a subtle jab at former players who criticised Pakistan’s talent pool.

“Where are those who claim there’s no talent to replace seniors in Pakistan,?” he questioned

He referred to Hasan Nawaz’s achievement as a “tight slap” from the emerging talent in the country, saying it reflects the potential available.

It’s important to highlight that Pakistan achieved a convincing nine-wicket victory over New Zealand thanks to Nawaz’s explosive century, keeping their hopes alive in the series after losing the first two matches.

READ: Sialkot, Multan book spots in National T20 Cup quarter-finals

Hasan Nawaz reveals Agha Salman’s words before record-breaking century

AUCKLAND: Pakistan opener Hasan Nawaz opened up on his chat with skipper Salman Ali Agha before a record-breaking century against New Zealand in the third T20I of the five-match series at Eden Park on Friday.

Chasing a daunting 205, Pakistan made it look effortless, reaching the target with 24 balls to spare and just one wicket down.

Hasan was named the Player of the Match, hammering an unbeaten 101 off just 45 balls, decorated with 10 fours and seven sixes.

While speaking during a post-match press conference, Hasan revealed his chat with captain Agha Salman, who equally contributed with his unbeaten half-century in a record run chase.

“He told me to get the hundred. But I urged him to finish the match and that I’m not interested in getting the hundred because, hopefully, I can do it again.”

“That’s what I told him, and if fate allows it, I can get to the milestone again,” he stated.

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Hasan Nawaz discussed the attacking mindset of the team, expressing that they would approach the game fearlessly.

“We have attacking cricket in our minds, and our approach is to play fearless cricket,” he said.

The 22-year-old reflected on his innings, noting that he had never experienced pitches like those in New Zealand before, where there is a lot of bounce especially in the early overs.

“I have played my cricket on Pakistan’s domestic surfaces which have low bounce. I’ve never played on such pitches as those in New Zealand before.”

The batter failed to open his account in his first two innings, Hasan stated that he took the time to review his batting with the help of the coaches, which led to significant improvements.

” With the help of coaches, I made substantial progress after the first two matches, ” Hasan told the reporter.

He also mentioned that the selectors gave him confidence despite failures in the first two matches.

“The selectors have backed me and given me the confidence to play more matches despite my struggles, ” he concluded.

READ: Australia’s Usman Khawaja slams Queensland Cricket over injury controversy

Hasan Nawaz opens up after record-breaking century against New Zealand

AUCKLAND: Pakistan opener Hasan Nawaz has expressed his thoughts after scoring a record-breaking century against New Zealand in the third T20I of the five-match series at Eden Park on Friday.

Chasing a daunting 205, Pakistan made it look effortless, reaching the target with 24 balls to spare and just one wicket down.

Openers Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz set the tone early, forging a 74-run stand that put the visitors in the driver’s seat.

Haris, in particular, was in explosive touch, smashing 41 off just 20 balls, including four fours and three sixes, before falling on the final delivery of the powerplay.

His departure, however, did little to slow Pakistan down. Skipper Salman Ali Agha joined Hasan at the crease, and the duo stitched together a magnificent unbeaten 133-run stand, ensuring a commanding victory.

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Hasan was the star of the night, hammering an unbeaten 101 off just 45 balls, decorated with 10 fours and seven sixes.

After receiving his Player of the Match award in the post-match presentation, Hasan Nawaz acknowledged the support from Pakistan’s captain and vice-captain, highlighting the performance in the opening two matches.

“I was disheartened with the way I got out in the first two games but the captain and Shadab Khan backed me to play my natural game,” he said.

“The only thing on my mind was to get a single first, and I relaxed after getting that first run in international cricket, ” Hasan concluded.

READ: Pakistan captain reflects on thumping victory over New Zealand

Mohammad Wasim Jr. wary of New Zealand challenge after injury return

LAHORE: Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Wasim Jr., who is set to make a comeback to the national One-day International side after an injury, has acknowledged that the upcoming series against New Zealand will be a significant challenge for him.

While speaking to the media ahead of the ODI series against the Black Caps, Wasim expressed his concerns about returning to form after his injury.

“I am coming back from an injury, so it will be a bit challenging for me. However, I will put in my best effort to perform well, ” he remarked.

When asked about the T20I series, he chose to keep his focus on the ODIs.

“My concentration is solely on the ODI side. The T20 team can provide insights about their performances, ” he stated.

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Mohammad Wasim Jr. also reflected on the absence of senior players, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf.

“We will certainly miss experienced players like Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, ” he said.

Wasim highlighted the favourable conditions for fast bowlers in New Zealand, declaring his determination to make a strong impression.

“I know the conditions will be supportive for fast bowlers, and I will strive to deliver a solid performance, ” he concluded.

Following an unsatisfactory showing in the Champions Trophy, Pakistan is now competing in a five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The team has suffered defeats in the first two matches by considerable margins.

For the unversed, the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and New Zealand will kickoff from 29 March. The second ODI will be played on 2 April in Hamilton, while Mount Maunganui will host the final ODI on 5 April.

Pakistan squads for New Zealand tour

ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr., Mohammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir.

READ: Mohammad Asif offers valuable advice to Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf

Aqib Javed confident of Pakistan’s comeback in must-win third T20I against New Zealand

Pakistan’s interim head coach, Aqib Javed, expressed optimism for a strong comeback ahead of the must-win third T20I against New Zealand, which is scheduled to be played on Friday in Auckland.

While speaking to the media, Aqib discussed the team’s combination and strategy for the crucial match, mentioning that their primary goal is to build a strong squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and World Cup.

“The team is young, but we are here to win the series. Our performances are improving, and we will fight back in Auckland,” Javed stated.

He remained optimistic about a comeback in the third T20I of the series, noting that the team has enough potential to do well and win the series.

“Going through a rebuilding phase doesn’t mean we are not aiming to win. The Pakistan team has the full potential to make a comeback and win the series,” he asserted.

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The head coach admitted the challenge of playing in overseas conditions but underscored the importance of exposing young players to such environments for long-term success.

“Playing in South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia is not easy, but young players will gain confidence from it. This confidence will be valuable when playing in Asian conditions,” he added.

The 52-year-old highlighted the significance of having players like Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman on the team.

“The selection of players for the long term will be based on their performance within the team. The addition of Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman is expected to further strengthen the squad,” he remarked.

While addressing a question regarding ace pacer Shaheen Afridi, Aqib Javed stated that conceding sixes in T20 cricket is not a big deal.

“A bowler conceding four sixes is not a big deal, but a fast bowler must keep improving. Shaheen Shah Afridi also needs to elevate his game.”

“If he wants to establish himself in international cricket, he must improve further,” he concluded.

READ: Shakib Al Hasan cleared of suspect bowling action after reassessment

Abdullah Shafique eyes strong comeback in ODI series against New Zealand

Pakistan’s top-order batter, Abdullah Shafique, is focused on making a strong comeback in the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand, starting on 29 March.

Speaking about his past performances, Shafique admitted that he has learned valuable lessons from previous matches.

“I didn’t perform well in some of my recent games, but I have taken a lot of lessons from those experiences,” he admitted.

On the ongoing debate about player specialization, Shafique stressed the importance of adaptability across formats.

“Tagging a player as a red-ball or white-ball specialist isn’t fair. A cricketer should be able to play all formats,” he stated.

Shafiq, who was out of sorts in the South Africa series, played at the end of last year, emphasized the challenges of playing in New Zealand conditions and expressed confidence in his preparation.

“New Zealand’s conditions have always been difficult for Pakistan. I will try my best to perform well and contribute to the team’s success,” Shafique said.

Reflecting on his return to the national squad, the right-hander credited domestic cricket for improving his game.

“Playing domestic matches has helped me a lot. I feel in good form and will look to capitalize on it in this series,” he added.

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Shafique also acknowledged Babar Azam’s recent praise and considered it an honor to receive encouragement from a top-class batter.

“Babar’s words mean a lot to me. I hope to live up to his expectations and perform to the best of my abilities,” he stated.

While discussing New Zealand’s squad, he stressed that they are a formidable opponent and should not be taken lightly.

“New Zealand is never an easy team to face. They have young and talented players, and we aim to put up a strong fight,” he said.

Addressing criticism, Shafique maintained that he tries to focus on his game and ignore unnecessary distractions.

“Criticism is part of cricket. It should be taken positively. A lot is said, but I prefer to focus on my performance,” he remarked.

The 25-year-old also backed injured batter Saim Ayub and wished him success.

“Saim is an excellent player and a great asset for Pakistan. I wish him the best of luck,” he said.

Lastly, he highlighted the growing importance of strike rate in modern-day cricket.

“In white-ball cricket, maintaining a good strike rate is crucial. It plays a big role in a team’s success,” he concluded.

READ: Pakistan team trained like Under-14 side, says Shahid Afridi

Pakistan team reaches Auckland for third T20I against New Zealand

Pakistan team has arrived in Auckland from Dunedin for the third T20I against New Zealand, scheduled for March 21.

The Green Shirts will undergo a practice session under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff at Eden Park tomorrow from 2 PM to 5 PM local time.

The players will engage in specialised drills, focusing on sharpening their batting, bowling, and overall fitness to fine-tune their skills as they look to bounce back from back-to-back defeats.

For the unversed, after a crushing nine-wicket loss in the first T20I, Pakistan failed to defend 135 runs in the rain-affected second match, which was reduced to 15 overs per side.

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It’s worth noting that following the third T20I, Pakistan and New Zealand will play the final two matches of the series in Mount Maunganui and Wellington on March 23 and 26, respectively.

Following the conclusion of the T20I series, the two sides will face off in a three-match ODI series. The first ODI is set for March 29 in Napier, followed by the second on April 2 in Hamilton, while Mount Maunganui will host the third and final match on April 5.

Pakistan T20I squad for New Zealand tour

T20Is: Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Usman Khan (wk)

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Hasan Nawaz joins unwanted club after recording consecutive ducks

The opening batter of the Pakistan cricket team, Hasan Nawaz, registered an unwanted record to his name after registering consecutive ducks in the first two games of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand on Tuesday.

The 22-year-old batter was among the three debutants for Men in Green in the first T20I against New Zealand on March 16 in Christchurch.

The right-hander could not open his account in the series opener, falling to New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy.

Eventually, Pakistan lost the game by nine wickets after being bundled out for 91 runs in 18.4 overs.

In the second T20I, the Islamabad-born batter was dismissed by Duffy once more on a duck.

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Following his dismissal, Hasan became the sixth batter to register two consecutive ducks in his first two international matches.

The young batter faced three balls and did not score a single run. He joined his compatriot Arshad Iqbal on an unwanted list of players with consecutive ducks in their first two T20I appearances.

Batters with two ducks in their first men’s T20I innings

Player Country Matches

Matthew Sinclair New Zealand vs AUS 2005, vs AUS 2007

Joe Denly England vs AUS 2009, vs SA 2009

Imrul Kayes Bangladesh vs PAK 2010, vs AUS 2010

Kyle Jarvis Zimbabwe vs PAK 2011, vs NZ 2011

Arshad Iqbal Pakistan vs BAN 2021, vs Hong Kong 2023

Hasan Nawaz Pakistan vs NZ 2025, vs NZ 2025

READ: Haris Rauf fires back at critics following second consecutive defeat to New Zealand

Haris Rauf fires back at critics following second consecutive defeat to New Zealand

Pakistan pacer Haris Rauf has responded to critics after the national team’s second consecutive defeat in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

Earlier, New Zealand thrashed Pakistan by five wickets in the rain-affected second T20I at the University Oval, Dunedin.

Pakistan finished their inning at 135 for losing nine wickets in their 15 overs.

The hosts completed a comfortable five-wicket victory by chasing down the total with 11 balls to spare.

Following the game, Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf stressed the need to give emerging Pakistan cricket team players ample opportunity to thrive in international cricket.

“It is now a common thing in Pakistan to criticize players. These are young players who have been given an opportunity,” said Rauf.

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“If you look at the rest of the teams, the youngsters are given full freedom. They are given 10-15 games,” the right-arm pacer said.

Haris Rauf emphasized the importance of backing emerging players who struggle at the beginning of their international careers.

“It is now common in Pakistan. People are waiting to see us lose. People have their opinion,” he said.

“We are giving our best and focusing on building the team. As seniors, we are motivating the youngsters and teaching them how to approach international cricket,” Haris Rauf concluded.

It is worth noting that the Pakistan cricket team trails the five-match series against New Zealand 0-2 after losing the first two games.

The national side will face New Zealand in the must-win third T20I on Friday.

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