CHRISTCHURCH: Pakistan has announced an 18-player national squad for the three T20I matches against New Zealand.

The squad was finalised by head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam in consultation with Pakistan Shaheens’ coach Ijaz Ahmed, who also locked his 16-player squad for the four-day match against New Zealand ‘A’ to be played in Whangarei from 17 December.

Both teams are scheduled to depart for Queenstown on Tuesday, 8 December, after completing their fourteen-day isolation period in Christchurch. In Queenstown, both sides will stay in different hotels and train at different times and according to their match requirements.

On 14 December, Shaheens will travel to Whangarei, while Pakistan national team will head to Auckland on 15 December for the opening match of the three-match series.

Pakistan have recalled Hussain Talat and Sarfaraz Ahmed for the New Zealand for the T20 matches. Hussain, who has replaced Zafar Gohar, played his last T20I against South Africa at Centurion in February 2019, while Sarfaraz Ahmed has reclaimed his spot from Rohail Nazir who will captain Pakistan Shaheens against New Zealand ‘A’.

Fakhar Zaman missed the New Zealand tour after failing to recover in time due to high fever. Following the conclusion of the T20 series, Imad Wasim will depart for Australia on 23 December to play in the Big Bash League, while Mohammad Hafeez will leave for Pakistan on 24 December.

The Pakistan Test side players who will not be involved in the T20 matches will prepare for the two-Test series, which commences at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui, on 26 December.

The 18-player men’s national squad for the three T20Is against New Zealand!#NZvPAK #HarHaalMainCricket
More: https://t.co/6gwgtwCtnU pic.twitter.com/VxYjwT6mP1

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 6, 2020

Pakistan v New Zealand T20I Schedule: