Khushdil Shah to remain with Pakistan squad in New Zealand despite his father passing away back home

Pakistan team led by Babar Azam is currently in New Zealand for three T20Is and two Tests starting from December 10. The tour will begin with a couple of warm-up games for the touring sides and then the T20I series is scheduled to commence on December 18. The traditional Boxing Day and New Year Tests will be played then between New Zealand and Pakistan.

However, the touring party is in the news for all the wrong reasons ever since they have landed in the Kiwi country. Some of their players are known to have breached the COVID-19 protocols and are on the final warning. Meanwhile, one of their youngsters, Khushdil Shah has suffered a personal loss back home with his father passing away.

This is a very tough time for him and his family. The fact that Khushdil is far away from his dear ones makes it even tougher for him. However, despite that, the cricketer has decided not to travel back home to attend the last rites of his father according to Pak Passion.

Khushdil Shah to play in T20Is?

Khushdil Shah has been picked in the squad for his heroics down the order in the domestic circuit and the Pakistan Super League (PSL). He has so far played 63 T20 matches so far and has scored 1387 runs at a decent strike-rate of 137.59. The 25-year-old has already hit a mammoth 77 sixes in his career and looks one for the future for Pakistan.

Khushdil made his T20I debut on Australia tour last year and has played a total of four matches thus far. But he is yet to stamp his authority having mustered only 60 runs. He also made his debut earlier this month against Zimbabwe and scored 33 runs.

With the shorter boundaries on offer in New Zealand, Pakistan might look to hand Khushdil Shah the license of going against the opposition bowling from the word go. Even the Bannu-born cricketer will be keen on shining and dedicating a big knock for his late father.