Lahore, December 19, 2023: Wahab Riaz, the Chairperson of the national men's selection committee, along with consultant member Kamran Akmal, addressed the media at Gaddafi Stadium on Tuesday to unveil the 17-member Pakistan squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, scheduled from January 12, 2024, to January 21, 2024.
Wahab Riaz stated, "Shadab Khan, a crucial member of Pakistan's T20 setup, is currently recovering from an ankle injury sustained during the domestic season and requires two more weeks. Mohammad Haris has been rested for this series as part of our strategic plans to broaden our player pool and acknowledge domestic performers. I trust the selected 17 members will excel during the New Zealand tour."
In response to questions about the inclusion of three wicketkeepers, Riaz explained, "The squad has been chosen with the best interests of the Pakistan team in mind. We aim to test players like Haseebullah and Azam Khan, who have excelled in domestic cricket, alongside Mohammad Rizwan, as we strive to address our historical challenges in the middle order positions. Developing new options for positions four to seven is a priority, and players like Haseebullah, with a high strike rate, are crucial for upcoming tournaments, including the T20 World Cup."
Providing updates on injured players, Riaz mentioned, "Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain have made significant progress in their recovery, with Naseem set to join Islamabad United in the PSL. However, Ihsanullah will take more time to recover. Shadab Khan will undergo rehabilitation at the NCA."
When questioned about dropped players, Riaz emphasized, "Azam Khan's inclusion prioritizes skills over fitness, and we believe in his match-winning abilities. Shan Masood, though talented, is not part of this squad, but we may consider him in the future. Sharjeel Khan was not selected due to the presence of established players and promising talents like Saim Ayub."
Riaz stressed the importance of new talent, saying, "Younger players are crucial to our success. We haven't ruled out any player, and good performances in the PSL can certainly lead to selections for the World Cup."
Kamran Akmal added, "I'm content with the selection for the New Zealand tour. Our focus is on creating white-ball cricket backups and providing opportunities to top domestic performers. This is just the beginning, and we'll continue prioritizing domestic talent."
Riaz addressed expectations from the team in New Zealand, stating, "We expect a winning performance on this tour, and the inclusion of young players is aimed at building a confident squad. Senior players are vital mentors for the younger ones."
Regarding Shaheen Shah Afridi's form, Riaz expressed support, "Shaheen is a sensible player going through a tough time in Australia. We believe in his abilities and expect him to bounce back with time."
On the omission of Kamran Ghulam, Riaz mentioned, "Kamran Ghulam has done well in domestic cricket, but we feel he needs more time to develop in T20 cricket. He remains part of our white-ball plans, and we've invited him to the Lahore camp."
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