Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced their men’s Test squad for the upcoming home Test series against New Zealand. Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who didn’t play a single game in the recently-concluded WTC Tests versus England, has retained his place in the 16-member squad.
Uncapped batter Kamran Ghulam, who didn’t get a chance to make his Test debut, has replaced veteran Azhar Ali.
Azhar retired from Test cricket after ꧙playing his la♔st match against England in Karachi earlier this week.
The national selectors have, however, released fast bowler Muhammad Ali and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf from th🐟e Pakistan squad following their 3-0 whitewash against England on Mon♕day (December 20).
Pacer Naseem Shah has been declared fit and is all set to feature in ⛦the New Zealand♊ Tests. He was ruled out of the Multan and Karachi Tests against England due to a shoulder niggle.
All-rounder Hasan Ali has also been recalled for the two-Test series against Tim Southee and his men.
Meanwhile, the Black Caps will land in Pakistan on Thursday morning. They are the third major side to tour Pakistan for a Test leg this year after Australia and England.
Pakistan’s Test squad for New Zealand series:
Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sarಌfaraz Ahmed (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood♍, Zahid Mehmood.
Schedule for PAK vs NZ Test series
- First Test: Karachi, December 26-30, 2022
- Second Test: Multan, January 3-7, 2023
