PCB likely to announce squad for New Zealand tour within next 3-4 days

Pakistani cricket have been enjoying a lot of success recently, as the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 opened the floodgates of good times. However, the Kiwis will be eager to turn the tables on them, when the men in green arrive in the picturesque nation ‘down under’ for 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is.

As per reports in Business Recorder, it has been understood that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) are very likely to announce the squad for the much awaited and crucial series within the next three to four days. The board is not trying to experiment too much with the squad, and will most probably field the same team which contested against Sri Lanka in the United Arab Emirates, a couple of months ago.

The last piece of the jigsaw- Opener

Azhar Ali was expected to return to the ODI squad in the series against New Zealand, but as of now, he has to wait. Scintillating performance from another opener Ahmed Shehzad in the National T20 Cup have left the national selectors sceptical.

Pakistani skipper Sarfraz Ahmed will miss the services of Usman Khan Shinwari, who has been ruled out of the series due to a back injury. However, Ahmed will be able to utilise his prized asset Junaid Khan, who is expected to be in the team for the T20Is.

Bad news for Kamran Akmal

If reports are to be believed, Kamran Akmal has some bad news waiting for him. Pakistani head coach Mickey Arthur is unwilling to provide the already tested players with opportunities, which means Kamran might not find his name in the team list.

Here are the fixtures of the NZ v PAK series: