Pakistan Cricket Team not to be declared before Sunday, Shaheen likely to be dropped

It's the second day, the Pakistan Cricket Board hasn't announced the squad for the home T20Is against New Zealand. We are closing this blog hoping an announcement about the team will come in a couple of days. Stay tuned for updates.

When Shaheen Afridi questioned Babar's re-appointment

On the matter of the reappointment of Babar Azam as Pakistan's T20I captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi wrote on X, "I am surprised by the decision by very experienced cricketers in the selection committee. I still believe that if change was necessary, then (Mohd) Rizwan was the best choice! But since now the decision has been made I offer my full support and best wishes to team Pakistan and Babar Azam."

Shaheen Shah Afridi's Instagram post

In his 29-second video clip of a lion on Instagram, Shaheen Afridi, claimed, "Never ever put me in a position where I have to show you how cruel and ruthless I can be. Don't test my patience. Because I might be the kindest and sweetest person you've ever met, but once I reach my limit, you'll see me do the things that no one thought I was capable of doing."

What is Babar Azam doing?

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam could be seen enjoying the picturesque landscape of Kakul, Abbottabad, with his teammate Naseem Shah during their training with the Pakistan Army.

Babar Azam and Naseem Shah are exploring the beauty of Kakul, Abbottabad.#Cricket | #Pakistan | #BabarAzam | #NaseemShah | #Kakul | #Abbottabad pic.twitter.com/YIiisfClPF

— Khel Shel (@khelshel) April 5, 2024

The Pakistan Cricket Board on Friday announced the appointment of Sami Ul Hasan Burney as the new Director - Media and Communications. Burneyhas replaced Aalia Rasheed as PCB Media Director.

Who Is The Best Pakistan T20I Coach?

Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif has shared a list of T20I coaches the Pakistan cricket team has had since 2011 and their respective win percentages. Of those 10 coaches, Mickey Arther has had the best performance.

Pakistan Cricket Team Head Coaches Since 2011 in T20I

Coaches
Abdur Rehman
Dav Whatmore
Grant Bradburn
Mickey Arthur
Misbah-ul-Haq
Mohammad Hafeez
Mohsin Khan
Moin Khan
Saqlain Mushtaq
Waqar Younis pic.twitter.com/BIQWltqmjN

— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) April 4, 2024

Shaheen Shah Afridi's warning, but for whom?

Star Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has posted an interesting image on his Instagram story with an image of a lion with the caption 'not to test his patience'.

Copy master 😭#ShaheenAfridi #PakistanCricket l pic.twitter.com/JIP2laHCHb

— Urooj Jawed🇵🇰 (@uroojjawed12) April 5, 2024

Pakistan squad vs New Zealand: Afridi asked Shaheen to not take captaincy

Shahid Afridi has said that he was always warned his son-in-law Shaheen against taking captaincy roles.

"I want Shaheen to focus on his own cricket," Afridi has said. The former Pakistan captain also added that the left-arm pacer didn't listen to his advice to not take Lahore Qalandars captaincy.

"I always tried to keep Shaheen away from captaincy," Afridi said. The former all-rounder further added that himself incluced, many former captainsdidn't see a good end to their role as captains.

Pakistan Squad Live Updates: Selectors back in Lahore

The selectors, who were in Kakul - where Pakistan players are taking part in a fitness training camp under the supervision of Pakistan Army, are back in Lahore after discussing the probables for the series.

Pakistan squad vs New Zealand: Announcement delayed

The Pakistan team announcement for the 5-T20I series against New Zealand has been delayed. The Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is might not be announced before April 8. As per reports, the selectors would meet again on Sunday.

Pakistan squad Live Announcement: Mohammad Nawaz to be dropped?

Basit Ali has reckoned that Imad Wasim and Abrar Ahmed will get a place, while Mohammad Nawaz would be dropped.

“When Babar was captain five to six months ago, the same team was playing. Maybe Imad and Abrar will come in and Nawaz will get dropped for the series against New Zealand but the rest of the team will be the same,” former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali has reckoned added.

Pakistan squad vs New Zealand: No rift in Pakistan team, says Basit Ali

“I don’t think there will be any grouping in this team because there is lack of talent in this country. We are calling players from UAE, like Usman Khan, to come and play for Pakistan. The PSL could not produce any new batter. So, I don’t think there will be any problem,” Basit Ali said on his YouTube channel.

Looks like the Pakistan cricket team for the 5 home T20Is against New Zealand will not be announced today. We are closing this blog for now and will continue tomorrow from where we left off. Till then, bye, take care.

As per a Pakistani influencer Farid Khan, if the Pakistan cricket team loses to India in the T20 World Cup 2024 or fails to make it to the final of the marquee clash, Babar Azam will once again be sacked as T20 captain.

Most successful bowler for Pakistan in T20s since December 2022

All-rounder Shadab Khan has picked up most T20I wickets for Pakistan since December 2022 i.e. 17 in 15 matches. Haris Rauf is the second on the list with 16 scalps but he's not part of the centrally contracted Pakistani players anymore.

When Pakistan Are Playing New Zealand?

The T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played in Rawalpindi on April 18, 20 and 21 and the last two matches will be played in Lahore on April 25 and 27. All the matches will begin at 7:30 PM local time.

Who has scored most T20 Runs for Pakistan after last T20 WC?

Since December 2022, Mohammed Rizwan has scored the most runs for Pakistan in the T20 format. Rizwan has amassed 1342 T20 runs in 34 innings between December 2022 and March 2024. His 98* is the highest. He has scored at a strike rate of 125.89 and averaged 46.27.

Babar Azam has scored 1078 during the same period in 35 innings, with 110* being the highest.

PCB Chairman Thanked Pakistan Army

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi in the official release said, "I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Pakistan Army for their support to our cricketers. Their collaboration will not only enhance the fitness levels of our players but will also make them more disciplined in future.

"This camp will surely put the players in good stead before undertaking a challenging journey leading to a global tournament in the USA and West Indies.

"The PCB remains dedicated to providing comprehensive support to its players, equipping them with the necessary tools and resources to excel at the international level."

Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricket team was spotted playing volleyball at the Army Training Camp in Kakul.

PCT Players playing Volleyball in Kakul ❤️.#PAKvNZ | #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/DnZ0hiIbwD

— Shami Khan (@Shami_hun_) April 4, 2024

Babar Azam not a successful T20 captain?

Rashid Latif shared a graph on his X handle where he reportedly showed the win percentage of PSL captains and current Pakistan T20I captain Babar Azam is way down in that list. However, as per ESPNCrinfo data, Babar Azan is eighth on the list of most successful captains in the PSL.

PSL Captain Win Percentage

1- Mohammad Rizwan
2- Misbah-ul-Haq
3- DJG Sammy
4- Shadab Khan
5- Shaheen Shah Afridi
6- Sohail Akhtar
7- Shan Masood
8- Sarfaraz Ahmed pic.twitter.com/e2PevelN0n

— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) April 4, 2024

Pakistani cricketers used by PCB officials: Rashid Latif

Former Pakistan cricketer Rashid Latif claimed the current scenario in Pakistan Cricket i.e. the musical chair of captaincy between Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, is nothing new.Latif in a show on PTV alleged PCB officials have always used Pakistan cricketers and the players were made to dance to their tunes.

- پاکستان میں کپتان تو یونہی بدنام ہیں!!

اس الجھی گتھی کی کیا تشریح کی ہے جناب @iRashidLatif68 بھائی نے pic.twitter.com/k3n8Iuk644

— Asif Khan (@mak_asif) April 3, 2024

How strong does Pakistan's spin department appear?

The current Pakistani spin department featuring Abrar Ahmed, Usama Mir, and Shadab Khan looks quite promising. They are likely to find a place in the squad for the New Zealand series. A good performance against the Blackcaps will help them emerge as a formidable force in the marquee event in the USA and Caribbean.

Tentative list of Pakistan players for T20 World Cup

According to reports, the Pakistani selectors have compiled an initial roster of potential players for the T20 World Cup after thorough consultations. The list includes prominent figures such as Babar Azam (captain), Usman Khan, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Usama Mir, Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Aamir Jamal, Irfan Khan Niazi, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, and Zaman Khan.

Wicketkeepers for Pakistan vs NZ

Who will perform the wicketkeeping duties for Pakistan in T20Is?

Azam Khan and Mohammad Rizwan have been earmarked as wicketkeeper-batters for Pakistan in the T20Is.

Pakistan selectors to give opportunities to fringe players

With the New Zealand board opting to rest nearly 80 per cent of the potential T20 World Cup squad, PCB selectors are anticipated to reassess their strategy and assemble a team focused on evaluating the abilities of players with lesser chances of inclusion in the World Cup squad.

Also, as many as 9 New Zealand pacers - who are likely to feature in the T20 WC squad - are busy playing the IPL 2024 and have not been included in the T20I team against Pakistan.

Fakhar Zaman Day

On April 4 2021, Fakhar Zaman played a mammoth knock of 193 off 155 balls against South Africa at the Wanders Stadium, Johannesburg. The explosive left-handed batter smashed 18 fours and 10 sixes in that innings, making it the third-highest individual score for a Pakistan batter in an ODI.

Fakhar Zaman fitness update

Pakistani selectors are closely monitoring the fitness of their star opener, Fakhar Zaman as there is uncertainty over his availability for the New Zealand T20Is. Zaman has been a key player for Pakistan in the white-ball format and captain Babar Azam would definitely want him in the squad for the T20 World Cup.

Babar Azam met PCB Chairman in Kakul

The board chairman also convened a meeting with the selection committee to discuss the Pakistan team's composition ahead of the New Zealand T20I series. Captain Babar Azam also attended the meeting. The Chairman briefed the committee members on the Board's progress regarding the appointment of a head coach.

PCB Chairman Met Pakistan Players in Kakul

Earlier on April 1, PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi visited Kakul in Abbottabad to directly oversee the fitness camp organised by trainers from the Pakistan Army for Pakistan's T20 players. The purpose of the visit was to gain firsthand insights into the training camp's progress and to express gratitude to the Pakistan Army for their invaluable support in arranging the camp.

Will Usman Khan get a spot in Pakistan's T20 side?

Usman Khan, who showcased remarkable batting skills for Multan Sultans during IPL 9, has now garnered attention for his outstanding performance. He seems to have solidified his place in the spotlight for the New Zealand T20s. A good show against the Blackcaps could also guarantee the talented batter a ticket to the T20 World Cup 2024.