PCB to request additional visas ahead of New Zealand tour
The five-match T20I series will begin on January 12
KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to request three additional visas ahead of the five-match T20I New Zealand series which is set to begin on January 12.
The decision was taken considering fitness issues the team faced during their Australia tour as, so far, three Pakistani players, Khurram Shazad, Abrar Ahmed, and Noumal Ali, had trouble with injuries.
The PCB will request visas for one spinner, one pacer, and one batter for the New Zealand tour so they can call up any player if needed.
However, due to the Christmas holidays, a delay in the issuance of the visas is likely.
Remember, the Pakistan cricket team is currently in Australia to play a three-match Test series in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 cycle which will conclude on January 7.
Just five days after the conclusion of the Test series, Pakistan is scheduled to play their first T20I match against New Zealand on January 12.
After skipper Babar Azam stepped down as the captain of all formats, Shaheen Shah Afridi was named the skipper of the shorter format by the PCB.
Shaheen — who is considered one of the finest bowlers in the world, especially with the new ball — will have his first assignment as the captain against the runner-ups of the 2021 T20 World Cup.
Pakistan’s squad:
Shaheen Afridi (c), Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mojammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan.
Schedule of Pakistan’s 2024 tour to New Zealand
First match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 12 January, Auckland
Second match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 14 January, Hamilton
Third match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 17 January, Dunedin
Fourth match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 19 January, Christchurch
Fifth match: New Zealand vs Pakistan, 21 January, Christchurch.
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