PCB Considerig Young Talent For New Zealand Tour
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is exploring the possibility of introducing fresh talent for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, scheduled to take place between March and April.
This decision follows Pakistan’s disappointing campaign in the Champions Trophy, where they suffered an early exit despite being the host nation.
Sources reveal that standout performers from domestic cricket have been invited to Lahore to meet PCB officials as part of the selection process.
This initiative aligns with Pakistan’s long-term vision for the 2026 T20 World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
Meanwhile, former wicketkeeper-batter Rashid Latif has proposed a list of promising young players who should be considered for the series.
His suggestions include Hassan Nawaz, Ali Raza, Abdul Samad, Akif Javed, and Muhammad Nafay. Additionally, he views all-rounder Shadab Khan as the frontrunner for the T20I captaincy.
Latif also put forward several other names for potential inclusion in the squad, such as Muhammad Haris, Sufyan Muqeem, Arafat Minhas, Irfan Khan Niazi, Zaman Khan, Mohammad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Agha Salman, Abrar Ahmed, Omair Bin Yousuf, and Khushdil Shah.
The Pakistan team is set to depart for New Zealand on March 12, with the five-match T20I series kicking off on March 16.
Apart from the T20Is, Pakistan will also compete in three ODIs, with the tour running until April 5.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that several senior players are contemplating a break from international cricket following their lackluster performances in the Champions Trophy.
Key players such as Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Babar Azam are reportedly being discussed in selection meetings, with some considering withdrawing from the tour to avoid the possibility of being dropped.
