Pakistan have included four uncapped players – Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim, Shahnawaz Dahani, and leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood in their 20-member squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand, starting September 17. The other two ODIs will be played on September 19 and 21 in Rawalpindi.

Dahani impressed earlier this year during PSL 2021 finishing as the highest wicket-taker of the season. He bagged 20 wickets at an average of 17. On the other hand, leg-spinner Mahmood was the second-highest wicket-taker in the Pakistan Cup – the domestic one-day competition – finishing with 19 wickets at an average of 24.89.

Kisi ko hum nahi khela kar rakhtein hain.. kisi ko hum baghair khilaye drop kardetey hain.
anyhow many congratulations to young Mohammad Haris for his maiden call. He’s a talented boy. #PAKvNZ pic.twitter.com/SYdxcALDxc

— Sawera Pasha (@sawerapasha) September 1, 2021

Speaking on Shahnawaz Dahani’s selection, Pakistan’s chief selector Muhammad Wasim stated that it was an obvious choice as he was on the radar since the England series.

“Shahnawaz Dahani was unfortunate to miss the selection for the England matches as the squad was announced before the start of the remaining 20 HBL PSL 6 matches. Hence, he was a straightforward selection when we sat to discuss and finalise the side for the New Zealand series. We have also given a continued run to Mohammad Wasim, who impressed everyone in the T20Is against the West Indies,” Pakistan’s chief selector Muhammad Wasim said. 

Meanwhile, Haris Sohail, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Sohaib Maqsood, who were all part of the squad for the ODI series against England in July, have been left out for the New Zealand ODIs, which are part of the ICC World Cup Super League.

Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saud Shakeel, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir and Zahid Mahmood.

---