Pakistan vs New Zealand 2021: Pakistan Announced 12-Member Squad For 1st ODI

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 12-member squad for the first ODI match against New Zealand. On Wednesday, PCB issued a press release that mentioned Babar Azam as the team’s captain and Shadab Khan as his deputy.

Pakistan vs New Zealand: Iftikhar Ahmed, Usman Qadir included in Pakistan team for 1st ODI

Peshawar batsman Iftikhar Ahmed and leg-spinner Usman Qadir are the latest entrants in the team that appeared against England in July.

33-year-old leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood could be given his ODI debut after playing only one T20I against South Africa this year.

Pakistan vs New Zealand: ODI series to begin on September 17

Pakistan will play against New Zealand in three ODI matches before they take them in a five-match T20I series. The ODI series commences on September 17 with all matches scheduled to play Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Qadir made his ODI debut for Pakistan against South Africa in April this year and played only one match. He picked the wicket of Jon Jon Smuts in his spell of 1/48 from nine overs.

Pakistan were thrashed 3-0 by a second-string England team which was led by all-rounder Ben Stokes. Babar Azam and his men faced criticism for their lack of intent in the ODI series.

Pakistan will also face New Zealand in Group 2 of the ICC T20I World Cup 2021 in November, so this will be a preparation for both teams.

However, New Zealand have sent a second-string squad led by Tom Latham with the senior players are preparing for their respective IPL franchises.

New Zealand are coming from a 2-3 T20I series loss against Bangladesh and will aim to improve their performance against Pakistan.

New Zealand will be playing an ODI match after a gap of six months. The Black Caps last played Bangladesh in the 50-over format in March.

Pakistan’s 12-member squad for 1st ODI against New Zealand: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakil, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Qadir, Zahid Mahmood.

Also Read: Pakistan vs New Zealand ODI Series Won’t Be Part Of ICC Cricket World Cup Super League