PAK vs NZ: Afridi meets pitch curator, Babar Azam ahead of ODI series

The first match of the series is on January 9

January 08, 2023
Shahid Afridi speaks to Shaun Tait during the training session in Karachi — Geo News

The chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Interim Selection Committee, Shahid Afridi, visited the National Bank Cricket Arena on Sunday during Pakistan team’s training session.

During his visit, Afridi spoke to pitch curator with regards to the surface being prepared for the upcoming three-match ODI series between Pakistan and New Zealand.

The legendary all-rounder also had a brief conversation with the skipper Babar Azam and the coaches of the national team.

Pakistan have a chance to become the number one ODI team in the world during the upcoming series against New Zealand.

If Pakistan whitewash New Zealand 3-0 during the three-match series, they will jump to the number one spot in the rankings with 114 rating points.

The Men in Green are currently in fifth place with 107 rating points. Meanwhile, New Zealand are at the top of the table with 116 rating points.

If Pakistan win the ODIs against New Zealand, it will be their fourth series win in a row.

In their previous three ODI series, Pakistan have defeated Netherlands, West Indies and Australia.

Squads

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Tom Latham, Finn Allen, Michael Bracewell, Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Glenn Phillips, Mitchell Santner, Henry Shipley, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee and Blair Tickner.

Pakistan: Babar Azam (captain), Shan Masood (vice-captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir and Usama Mir.

Schedule

9 January – 1st ODI, Karachi

11 January – 2nd ODI, Karachi

13 January – 3rd ODI, Karachi

Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.

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