Kamran Akmal one of the consultants for PCB’s selection committee has given a stern reply on being questioned on why Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan not being given rest. Akmal immediately gave a sassy reply. He was swift to point out that the Pakistan Cricket Team is set to travel New Zealand and not Pakistan.
The current Pakistan Cricket Board selection Committee Wahab Riaz announced a 17-member squad for a 5 match T20I series against New Zealand. The Men in Green will take on the Kiwis for an entertaining series which is slated to start from 12th January.
When questioned about why the big names like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan weren’t rested, Akmal was very prompt with his response. “No one from team management or selection committee talked about giving rest to Babar and Rizwan during New Zealand series,” Akmal said.
“Pakistan is going to New Zealand, not Nepal, where senior players can be rested. No one can think like that,” he added.
The upcoming series is extremely crucial for Pakistan who after a disappointing ODI World Cup campaign will look to sort things out in the T20 World Cup. And for doing that, Akmal believes that the side needs the best players to play and perform.
On the other hand, questions were also taken on new skipper Shan Masood whose leadership abilities will be questioned. “Anyone given the responsibility of leadership or coaching should be given six to eight months, and after that, an assessment should be made,” Akmal said.
Pakistan squad for New Zealand series:
Shaheen Afridi (c), Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Haseebullah Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan
Pakistan tour of New Zealand:
January 12: New Zealand vs Pakistan – First T20I in Auckland
January 14: New Zealand vs Pakistan – Second T20I in Hamilton
January 17: New Zealand vs Pakistan – Third T20I in Dunedin
January 19: New Zealand vs Pakistan – Fourth T20I in Christchurch
January 21: New Zealand vs Pakistan – Fifth T20I in Christchurch
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