Sarfaraz dropped, Shahnawaz Dahani made a part of 20-member squad for upcoming ODI sequence

Batsmen Haris Sohail, Salman Ali Agha and Sohaib Maqsood additionally did not make the minimize, based on a press release issued by the cricketing physique on Wednesday.

In the meantime, the PCB included uncapped wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris, quick bowlers Mohammad Wasim and Shahnawaz Dahani, wrist-spinner Zahid Mahmood, and middle-order batsmen Iftikhar Ahmed and Khushdil Shah within the 20-member squad.

The PCB famous that Iftikhar’s final worldwide look had been towards Zimbabwe in late 2020 whereas Khushdil’s sole worldwide look within the format had additionally been in the identical match.

Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim mentioned he knew that a number of gamers can be “upset” at not being included. Nonetheless, there was a busy cricket season forward and there can be “ample alternatives down the road for everybody to place up sturdy performances and push their case for nationwide choice”.

Terming the sequence towards New Zealand “extraordinarily vital” for Pakistan, because the Rawalpindi ODIs will rely in the direction of the ICC Males’s Cricket World Cup qualification, Wasim mentioned the PCB had tried to place collectively a “formidable and balanced unit”.

“We now have continued to make sure that we give alternatives to high-performing gamers whereas wanting into the long run in order that we are able to develop a robust bench-strength,” the PCB assertion quoted him as saying.

Wasim mentioned it was “unlucky” that Shahnawaz had been missed through the staff choice for Pakistan’s tour of England final month for the reason that nationwide squad was introduced earlier than the completion of Pakistan Tremendous League (PSL) 6.

Subsequently, the quick bowler was a “simple choice” for the upcoming sequence, he mentioned. Mohammad Wasim was additionally given a continued run due to his spectacular efficiency through the sequence towards West Indies, he added.

Giving additional particulars in regards to the squad, the chief selector mentioned Zahid was added to the staff to assist leg-spinner Usman Qadir. He recalled that Zahid had excelled within the final white-ball match he performed towards South Africa in Lahore.

The wrist-spinner had the temperament to carry out in ODIs, Wasim added.

Whereas Mohammad Rizwan would stay the primary selection for wicketkeeper, Mohammad Haris was included instead of Sarfaraz “not solely to reward Haris for his excellent home performances within the earlier season but in addition to provide him a style and aptitude of worldwide cricket together with its rigours and calls for”, Wasim additional mentioned.

The center-order has remained a priority for the PCB, the chief selector mentioned, including, “after attempting a number of choices, we’ve got determined to provide one other run to Iftikhar and Khushdil.”

Noting that the 2 gamers had ample home expertise within the format, he mentioned the PCB was “optimistic they are going to come good in house circumstances”.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imamul Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir and Zahid Mahmood.

Pakistan will play three ODIs towards New Zealand on the Pindi Cricket Stadium on Sept 17, Sept 19, and Sept 21. In the meantime, the Gaddafi Stadium will stage the 5 T20Is scheduled to happen from Sept 25 to Oct 3.