Pakistan is ready to face New Zealand in a five-match T20I series, starting Sunday, March 16. Led by Salman Ali Agha, the team aims to make a strong impression on Kiwi soil. The series opener will take place at Hagley Oval in Christchurch, with the first ball set to be bowled at 2:15 PM local time.
Series Schedule and Venues
The action will continue across different venues in New Zealand. The second T20I will be held at University Oval in Dunedin on March 18, followed by the third match at Eden Park in Auckland on March 21. The final two matches will take place at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, and Sky Stadium, Wellington, on March 23 and March 26, respectively.
After the T20Is, both teams will compete in a three-match ODI series from March 29 to April 5, with matches scheduled in Napier, Hamilton, and Mount Maunganui.
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Pakistan’s Squad and Preparations
The Pakistan team landed in Christchurch on Thursday and held its first training session on Friday. Before departing, the squad completed a pre-series training camp in Lahore from March 7 to 10 at LCCA Ground.
The squad features three uncapped players—Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali—who earned their spots after impressive domestic performances.
Pakistan holds a slight advantage over New Zealand in T20I history, with 23 wins in 44 encounters, while New Zealand has won 19 matches. Their last T20I series in Pakistan ended in a 2-2 draw, with one match washed out due to rain.
Captain’s Vision for the Series
Salman Ali Agha, who led Pakistan to a 2-1 T20I series win against Zimbabwe, is confident about his team’s chances.
“Our preparations are going well, and we aim to achieve strong results in New Zealand. This series is also a great opportunity for young players to prove their talent on the international stage,” he stated.
Full T20I Squad
- Salman Ali Agha (captain)
- Shadab Khan (vice-captain)
- Abdul Samad
- Abrar Ahmed
- Haris Rauf
- Hasan Nawaz
- Jahandad Khan
- Khushdil Shah
- Mohammad Abbas Afridi
- Mohammad Ali
- Mohammad Haris
- Muhammad Irfan Khan
- Omair Bin Yousaf
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Sufyan Moqim
- Usman Khan
Coaching and Support Staff
- Aqib Javed (Interim Head Coach)
- Azhar Mahmood (Assistant Coach)
- Mohammad Yousuf (Batting Coach)
- Mohammad Masroor (Fielding Coach)
- Naveed Akram Cheema (Team Manager)
- Cliffe Deacon (Physiotherapist)
- Drikus Saiman (Strength & Conditioning Coach)
- Talha Butt (Analyst)
- Irtiza Komail (Security Manager)
- Dr. Wajid Ali Rafai (Team Doctor)
- Syed Naeem Ahmad (Media Manager)
- Sergio Basil Mullins (Masseur)
Upcoming Matches
- March 16 – 1st T20I, Christchurch
- March 18 – 2nd T20I, Dunedin
- March 21 – 3rd T20I, Auckland
- March 23 – 4th T20I, Mount Maunganui
- March 26 – 5th T20I, Wellington
- March 29 – April 5 – Three ODIs in Napier, Hamilton, and Mount Maunganui
Pakistan will look to start strong and gain momentum for the ODI series. With a mix of experienced players and fresh talent, the team is set for a tough but exciting challenge against the Black Caps.
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