Sarfaraz Ahmed, Hussain Talat recalled to Pakistan's T20I squad

Sarfaraz Ahmed and Hussain Talat find themselves a part of Pakistan's 18-member T20I squad for the series against New Zealand.

Published : Dec 06, 2020 14:58 IST , Christchurch

Pakistan wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed. - REUTERS
Pakistan wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed. - REUTERS
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Pakistan wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed. - REUTERS

Wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed and all-rounder Hussain Talat were on Sunday recalled to Pakistan’s 18-member squad for the T20I series against New Zealand, which begins on December 18 in Auckland.

Talat played his last T20I in February last year, against South Africa at Centurion, while former skipper Sarfaraz has reclaimed his spot from Rohail Nazir after missing the Zimbabwe series.

The squad was finalised by head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam in consultation with Pakistan Shaheens coach Ijaz Ahmed, who also locked in his 16-member squad for the four-day match against New Zealand ‘A’ to be played in Whangarei from December 17.

'Young, talented and high-performing players'

“For the T20Is, we have retained the squad that has been playing together for some time,” Misbah said in a statement.

“The squad comprises young, talented and high-performing players, who are determined and eager to make names for themselves and further cement their places in the side. New Zealand boasts some of the best cricket facilities... I want my players to make optimum use of the upcoming opportunities by expressing themselves by playing fearlessly every time they take the field.”

Both Pakistan and Pakistan Shaheens squads are scheduled to depart for Queenstown on Tuesday, after completing their 14-day isolation period in Christchurch.

In Queenstown, both the sides will stay in different hotels and train at different times and according to their match requirements.

ALSO READ | Pakistan's training exemption revoked due to COVID-19 positives

Following the conclusion of the T20I series, Imad Wasim will depart for Australia on December 23 to play in Australia’s Big Bash League, while Mohammad Hafeez will leave for Pakistan on December 24.

Those members of the Test team who will not be involved in the T20Is will remain with Pakistan Shaheens to prepare for the Test series, which commences at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on December 26.

As part of their preparation for the four-day match against New Zealand ‘A’, which begins on December 17, Shaheens will also play intra-squad practice matches in Queenstown.

Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is : Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Musa Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Qadir and Wahab Riaz.

Pakistan Shaheens squad : Rohail Nazir (c), Abid Ali, Amad Butt, Azhar Ali, Danish Aziz, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah, Zafar Gohar and Zeeshan Malik.

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