In a surprising turn of events, three Pakistan Cricket Team players cricketers—Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan—have joined the national team in Sydney. They have shifted their focus from the Big Bash League (BBL) to the upcoming challenges against Australia.
The trio, initially in Australia for the BBL, sought No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to extend their participation in additional BBL matches. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided against granting NOCs, redirecting the players to national duty as per Cricket Pakistan.
Despite not being part of the Test squad for the Australia series, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan will actively participate in practice sessions with the national team. The decision to include them in the training regimen aims to ensure the players are in optimal form and sync with the team dynamics.
Pakistan Cricket Team stern Sydney Test
The practice sessions, which commenced on Monday, will serve as a crucial preparatory phase leading up to the third Test scheduled to begin on January 3, 2024. The infusion of new talent into the training camp adds depth and versatility to the squad, fostering healthy competition among players.
It is noteworthy that the trio—Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan—remains part of the national squad for the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand, slated to kick off on January 12, 2024, in Auckland. As Pakistan gears up for an intense cricketing schedule, these developments underscore the team management’s commitment to strategic player management and readiness for diverse formats.
The extended squad for the Pakistan Cricket Team tour of New Zealand includes:
- 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
Fans can look forward to an action-packed T20 series against New Zealand, with matches scheduled from January 12 to January 21, offering a thrilling start to the cricketing calendar in 2024.
