AUCKLAND: Pakistan’s T20I skipper Shaheen Afridi has hinted that his team will try different player combinations during the T20I series against New Zealand.
The five-match T20I series will see Shaheen Afridi lead Pakistan for the first time after being appointed captain for the shortest format in November last year.
Afridi while talking to the media here on Thursday expressed his excitement to lead Pakistan for the first time.
“It’s a very exciting challenge and a proud moment for me to represent Pakistan. First-time captaincy is not easy, it’s a new challenge in New Zealand,” said the 23-year-old.
“However, we have a very good track record against New Zealand but they are one of the best teams in the world so we’ll try to do our best.”
He further mentioned that his team features young players, and they will get chances during the series against New Zealand to find the ideal team combination.
“Some young players are making a comeback like Azam Khan, Aamer Jamal and Sahibzada Farhan and there are some new players like Haseebullah and Abbas Afridi,” said Afridi.
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“We are hoping to give them a chance in these five T20Is and upcoming T20I matches ahead of the T20 World Cup,” he added.
He also acknowledged the impact of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan’s opening partnership, however, he stressed the fact of shaking things to try different combinations before the ICC T20 World Cup 2024.
“Babar and Rizwan will always be the best opening pair for Pakistan. But, I think we have 17 matches before the World Cup, and we should try different combinations and try to figure out which player fits in which position and we will try to play them [in that position],” Afridi stressed.
“There might be some changes, or maybe not. But the effort will be to have the team combination ready before the England tour. In the four T20s against England before the T20 World Cup, we should know our best playing XI.”
Pakistan and New Zealand will square off in the first T20I of the five-match series tomorrow at Eden Park.
Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is
Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan (wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (vc/wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir and Zaman Khan
Schedule of Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series
1st T20 – 12 January 2024 at Eden Park, Auckland
2nd T20 – 14 January 2024 at Seddon Park, Hamilton
3rd T20 – 17 January 2024 at University Oval, Dunedin
4th T20 – 19 January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
5th T20 – 21 January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
READ: Fakhar Zaman ready to bat in lower order in New Zealand T20Is
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