Pakistan to play four uncapped players in their ODI’s squad against New Zealand, starting from September 17 at Rawalpindi National Cricket Stadium.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Haris, pacers Mohammad Wasim and Shahnawaz Dahani, and legspinner Zahid Mahmood are the debutants for Pakistan in the 20-member squad announced by the selectors for the upcoming ODI series against New Zealand at Rawalpindi.
Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah – who were recently featured in the ODI’s against Zimbabwe on November 3, 2020 – have been recalled in the squad for the three ODIs which will be played on September 17, 19, and 21 in Rawalpindi.
The 23-year-old young gun, Dahani is also part of the squad who made his List-A and T20 debut in the 2021 season and was also the highest wicket-taker in PSL 2021 after getting 20 wickets at an average of 17.
Zahid Mahmood is included in the squad considering his brilliant performance in Pakistan Cup as he was the second-highest wicket-taker in the event – the domestic one-day competition – finished up with 19 wickets at an average of 24.89.
The 20-year-old Mohammad Wasim is given another chance as he earlier made his T20I debut against West Indies earlier in July, and yet to impress the selectors as the play was possible to only one match and the rest of them washed out to rain.
“Shahnawaz Dahani was unfortunate to miss the selection for the England matches as the squad was announced before the start of the remaining 20 HBL PSL 6 matches. Hence, he was a straightforward selection when we sat to discuss and finalize the side for the New Zealand series. We have also given a continued run to Mohammad Wasim, who impressed everyone in the T20Is against the West Indies,”
Pakistan’s chief selector Muhammad Wasim said on Wednesday (September 1).
“Zahid Mahmood has been added to support Usman Qadir. While picking him, we took into consideration that he had excelled last time he played in a white-ball match in Lahore against South Africa. Although this time the format will be different, but in domestic 50-over competitions he has shown through his performances that he has the temperament to also perform in ODIs,”
added Wasim.
However, Haris Sohail, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Sohaib Maqsood, who were all part of the squad against England ODI’s in July, have been left out from the squad against New Zealand ODI’s, which are also part of the World Cup Super League.
“Mohammad Rizwan remains the first-choice wicketkeeper, as such, it has been decided to include 20-year-old Mohammad Haris in place of Sarfaraz Ahmed. This is not only to reward Haris for his outstanding domestic performances in the previous season but also to give him a taste and flair of international cricket along with its rigors and demands and to ensure that we continue to groom young wicketkeepers who are fit and ready to step up when the opportunity presents itself,”
said Wasim, who added that the Iftikhar and Khushdil were included to address Pakistan’s middle-order concerns.
“Middle-order has remained our concern and, as such, after trying a few options, we have decided to give another run to Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah, The two batters have played sufficient 50-over cricket at the domestic level and boast the required firepower to utilize the slog overs. We are optimistic they will come good in home conditions.”
Pakistan ODI Squad
Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hassan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam ul Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir and Zahid Mahmood.
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