Babar Azam was recently reappointed as the skipper of Pakistan’s National Cricket Team for the white ball formats and he’s set to lead the Shaheens in the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. But the vice captain of the Men in Green hasn’t been announced yet and the PCB is expected to announce the Vice Captain of the Shaheens in the next few days.
According to some news reports of the local Pakistani media, spin bowling All – Rounder Shadab Khan and Wicketkeeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan are the front runners in the race to become the white ball Vice Captain of the Shaheens.
The decision of who will handle the vice captaincy duties ahead of the home five match T20 International series against New Zealand is expected to be announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board post the conclusion of the Ramadan Eid holidays.
The Men in Green will be playing five T20 International games against New Zealand from 18th April onwards. The first three T20 International matches will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium of Rawalpindi on 18th, 20th and 21st April. The action will then move to Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium for the final two games of the series.
Fast Bowler Mohammad Amir has made his much awaited return to the National squad of Pakistan after a gap of four years. He last played for the Shaheens way back in August 2020.
Along with Amir, spin bowling All – Rounder Imad Wasim who came out of retirement recently has been picked in the squad for the New Zealand series as well.
Pakistan’s squad for the T20i series against New Zealand:
Babar Azam (Captain), Azam Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Abbas Afridi, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Zaman Khan and Usman Khan.
Reserves: Mohammad Ali, Haseebullah Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Salman Ali Agha and Sahibzada Farhan.
New Zealand’s squad for the T20i series against Pakistan:
Michael Bracewell (Captain), Mark Chapman, Finn Allen, Jacob Duffy, Josh Clarkson, Ben Lister, Dean Foxcroft, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Adam Milne, Ben Sears, Will O’Rourke, Ish Sodhi, Tim Robinson and Tim Seifert (WK).
New Zealand’s tour of Pakistan full schedule:
18th April: 1st T20 International, Rawalpindi
20th April: 2nd T20 International, Rawalpindi
21st April: 3rd T20 International, Rawalpindi
25th April: 4th T20 International, Lahore
27th April: 5th T20 International, Lahore