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New Zealand squad arrives in Pakistan for an exciting Test and ODI series

Pakistan have appointed uncapped middle-order hitter Kamran Ghulam and fast bowler Hasan Ali to their 16-man squad for the two-Test series versus New Zealand, which begins on Monday, December 26 at Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Arena.

Kamran has taken over for Azhar Ali, who declared his retirement last week, while Hasan Ali has taken over for Mohammad Ali, who, like Faheem Ashraf, has been encouraged to compete in the upcoming Pakistan Cup in Karachi.

Haris Rauf has been left out of the team because he is recuperating from an injury received while fielding in the Rawalpindi Test. Nevertheless, fast bowler Naseem Shah, who missed the Multan and Karachi Tests due to a shoulder strain, has been deemed fit and has been kept in the team.

The forthcoming series marks the start of Tim Southee’s tenure as New Zealand test captain, after the departure of Kane Williamson earlier this month. The first test begins on Monday in Karachi, with the second match set for Multan. After that, the teams will return to Karachi for three one-day internationals.

The squad’s declaration comes amid widespread suspicion that the PCB will be overhauled on Wednesday on the instructions of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, the board’s major patron.

This involves a change in the selection committee and previous chairman Najam Sethi taking over as PCB chairman in place of Ramiz Raja.

Back in September 2021, shortly before the Black Caps’ first scheduled match in Pakistan in 18 years, New Zealand cancelled its trip of Pakistan due to security concerns that perplexed the hosts.

The New Zealand team, which will arrive in Pakistan on Thursday morning, will be the third big side to visit Pakistan for a Test series this year, following Australia and England.

The first Test between Pakistan and New Zealand is set to begin on December 26 at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi. The second Test will be held from January 3 to 7 at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

Following the end of the Test series, the Black Caps will play three One-Day Internationals (ODIs) in Karachi from January 10 to 14.

Test squad: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Zahid Mehmood.

 

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