Shaheen Afridi more likely to miss first 2 matches in opposition to New Zealand

They added that it has been determined to “relaxation” the left-arm bowler as a part of the crew’s rotation coverage to handle the gamers’ workload forward of the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup slated for June later this 12 months.

Shaheen is more likely to be on the sidelines for the primary two matches of the five-match sequence. Nonetheless, he can be a part of the final three matches, the sources added.

It have to be famous that Shaheen was just lately eliminated as captain of the T20I aspect and was changed by Babar Azam.

The PCB mentioned that the change was “a strategic transfer geared toward guaranteeing participant well-being and peak efficiency”.

“Whereas Shaheen has undeniably confirmed himself as a star quick bowler, main Pakistan’s tempo assault over time, the board recognises the significance of rotation and relaxation to take care of his peak efficiency. This choice aligns with the board’s dedication to safeguarding the longevity of the gamers, particularly quick bowlers given their damage timelines up to now two years,” the PCB added.

“Protecting in thoughts workload administration, this choice is to make sure Pakistan’s essential bowlers stay on the prime of their sport. The board doesn’t need the nationwide males’s crew to run into an damage disaster regarding bowling sources as seen earlier than the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, the place Shaheen needed to be intently sorted and ICC ODI Cricket World Cup 2023, the place the crew didn’t have the providers of Naseem Shah.

With the Black Caps reaching Islamabad on Sunday, the Inexperienced Shirts crew has additionally assembled within the federal capital after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.

Pakistan squad
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan

Reserves: Haseebullah, Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

New Zealand squad
Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi.