Imad Wasim excited for Pakistan’s T20I series against New Zealand

Imad Wasim, the Pakistan all-rounder, is keeping his fingers crossed going into the three-match T20I series against New Zealand. The series gets underway on Friday, December 18 with the opening game at the Eden Park in Auckland. The Seddon Park in Hamilton and the McLean Park in Napier are the hosts for the remaining two T20Is on Sunday, December 20 and Tuesday, December 20.

On Wednesday, December 15, the Pakistan cricket team took part in their first training session in Auckland after moving to the venue from Queenstown. The 31-year-old Wasim, who became the number-one ranked T20I bowler back in 2017, talked about how the Pakistan cricketers have worked after serving their mandatory quarantine period.

We are excited and will enjoy playing in front of the crowds, says Imad Wasim

“We are excited and looking forward to it [T20 series]. We have put in a lot of hardwork during the last week which wasn’t easy after isolation. This is a massive opportunity for the new players to show how good they are,” Wasim was quoted as saying in Cricket Pakistan.

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic took centrestage, the Pakistan players have only played behind closed doors. Wasim is excited to ply his trade in front of audiences. “We are excited and will enjoy playing in front of the crowds and hopefully both teams will good support,” Wasim added.

Imad, recently, captained the Karachi Kings to glory to their maiden victory in the Pakistan Super League. One member from the Kings, Babar Azam, won’t be a part of the T20Is against the Black Caps.

Azam, who’s also the skipper of Pakistan in all three formats, has been ruled out after he suffered a thumb injury during a training session on Sunday, December 13. Pakistan are also scheduled to play two Tests and it remains to be seen if he makes the cut for the red-ball fixtures.

The Test series begins on December 26. Shadab Khan, the team’s vice-captain, is also nursing a groin niggle and it’s not known whether he’ll be a part of the first T20I. Imam-ul-Haq also sustained a fracture in his left thumb during a throwdown session.