Pakistan's squad for NZ series to be announced tomorrow

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi Sunday confirmed that the board will announce the national side's squad for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand on April 9 as opposed to today.

The announcement came as the PCB chief spoke to the media in Lahore ahead of the five-match home series against the Black Caps set to commence on April 18.

The tour will see the hosts taking on the national side in three matches in Rawalpindi, followed by two matches in Lahore with the series culminating on April 27.

With the T20I squad players set to report in Islamabad on April 14, sources say that the 18-member squad will be announced by the selectors in a press conference

Players, as per the sources, who are expected to be part of the national side include Imad Wasim and Mohammed Amir — both of whom retracted their retirement from international cricket after discussions with the PCB.

Other players likely to make the team include Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Zaman Khan, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Abbas Afridi.

For spinners, either Usama Mir or Abrar Ahmed will be part of the Men in Green's squad, the sources added.

Meanwhile, Haris Rauf is unlikely to be part of the national side due to his injury.

United Arab Emirates's (UAE) Usman Khan, owing to his impressive performance in the Pakistan Super League's ninth edition (PSL 9) will also be part of the squad, the PCB chief has confirmed.

Furthermore, as per the sources, the board is likely to announce the names of team management officials in the next couple of days, with the name of the team's assistant coach likely to be announced after April 20.

According to the PCB chairman, the announcement of the foreign head coaches will be made after April 15.

"The availability of foreign coaches for the series against New Zealand depends on the contract with them," Naqvi said stressing the national side's "busy" upcoming season in light of series against against Ireland, England, T20I World Cup, Bangladesh, England, Australia and South Africa.

"Before the Champions Trophy, there is a tri-party series in Pakistan. Teams will come to Pakistan for the Champions Trophy and the tri-party series," he added.