Pakistan’s head coach drops massive hint on benching Babar Azam ahead of PAK vs NZ T20I series opener, says ‘it is possible…’

Pakistan are all set to take on New Zealand in the first game of the five-match T20I series, which will kick off on April 18 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Ahead of the series, the interim white-ball head coach of Pakistan Azhar Mahmood said that Babar Azam could be rested and Shaheen Afridi is completely fit to play the series against New Zealand. Recently, Pakistan appointed Mahmood as head coach of the men’s national team for the five-match T20I series against the Kiwis. Notably, this series will be the first time since January that the Pakistan team will be playing any international cricket.  

During the press conference, Azhar Mahmood said that Babar Azam could rest but it will depend on the situation.

Babar Azam can rest but it will depend on the situation: Azhar Mahmood 

"It is possible Babar Azam can rest but it will depend on the situation. We will view all aspects while making the decision”, Mahmood said.

Notably, Babar Azam was appointed as white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team last month. He stepped down from the captaincy post following Pakistan’s poor performance in the ODI World Cup last year. Babar's departure saw Shaheen Afridi taking over as T20I captain while the red-ball leadership role was handed to Shan Masood in November last year.

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The former Pakistani cricketer then cleared the speculation about Shaheen Afridi missing the first two T20I on April 18 and April 20. He also claimed that the reports didn’t have any reality and had been fabricated by the media.

"Well, Shaheen Afridi is completely fit. I have heard the news that he may skip the first two games against New Zealand. But this has come from the media and certainly not from us”, Mahmood added.

Mahmood is happy with Amir and Imad Wasim's inclusion

The series also marks the international comebacks of Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim. Both of them had announced their international retirements earlier but came back to the international circuit only because of the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. With this, Mahmood is pleased with left-arm seamer Amir and all-rounder Wasim’s inclusion.

“With the return of Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, we can use them any time which is an edge,” Mahmood concluded.

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Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I Series 2024 Schedule

Pakistan's squad:

Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Muhammad Irfan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan

New Zealand's squad:

Michael Bracewell (captain), Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Zak Foulkes, Jimmy Neesham, Will O'Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi
 

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