Pakistan announce team for T20I series against New Zealand with Usman Khan included

Islamabad, April 9 (IANS) The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi confirmed Usman Khan’s availability despite a ban imposed by Emirates Cricket Board. Usman has been picked in the team for the upcoming T20I home series against New Zealand.

Usman Khan, who previously played for the UAE team, withdrew in favor of Pakistan, leading to a ban by the ECB. The PCB included him in the 17-member squad led by Babar Azam for the series from April 18 to 27 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Apart from Usman, Muhammad Irfan Khan, a promising middle-order batsman, also made it to the team after a strong performance in the 2024 PSL. The selectors also chose Abrar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, and Mohammad Amir for the series.

PCB chief selector Wahab Riaz expressed confidence in the capabilities of Wasim and Amir, who recently reversed their retirement decisions. Haseebullah, Mohammad Ali, Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, and Salman Ali Agha were named as non-travelling reserves.

The Pakistan squad for the T20I series against New Zealand includes Babar Azam (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and others. Non-travelling reserves have also been announced.