COAS Gen Munir hosts Iftar dinner for Green Shirts

RAWALPINDI: As part of his efforts to boost the morale of the Green Shirts, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on Monday hosted an Iftar dinner for Pakistan cricket team at the Army House in Rawalpindi.

Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi was also present alongside players, who were trained at the Army School of Physical Training (ASPT) camp in Kakul, Abbottabad earlier this month ahead of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

“General Syed Asim Munir hosted an Iftar dinner for the Pakistan cricket team at the Army House Rawalpindi. The national team players underwent and concluded physical training at the Army School of Physical Training (ASPT) camp in Kakul, Abbottabad,” said a statement issed by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Speaking on the occasion, the army chief extended best wishes to all the players in their future endeavours.

“Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi along with PCB officials also attended the Iftar. The cricketers thanked the COAS for the excellent training provided to them at Kakul and the role the army plays in supporting the games in Pakistan,” the communique added.

Earlier today, the PCB confirmed the team management for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand with former pacer Azhar Mahmood being named as the head coach.

Meanwhile, Wahab Riaz was named as the senior team manager, while Mohammad Yousuf will be the batting coach. Saeed Ajmal, who was the bowling coach on the last tours of Australia and New Zealand, will continue as the spin bowling coach.

The national selection committee is expected the announce the squad for the series against New Zealand on Tuesday in a press conference, as per the sources.

Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Irfan Khan Niazi, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Zaman Khan are expected to be part of the squad.

Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Abbas Afridi are also likely to be included in the 18-member contingent.

Either Abrar Ahmed or Usama Mir will be included in the squad for the series.

New Zealand T20I squad for Pakistan tour

Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi

Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series schedule

14 April — New Zealand arrive in Pakistan

16-17 April — Training/practice

18 April — 1st T20I, Rawalpindi

20 April — 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi

21 April — 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi

25 April — 4th T20I, Lahore

27 April — 5th T20I, Lahore