New Zealand vs Pakistan: Sarfaraz Ahmed, Hussain Talat recalled to visitors' 18-member T20I squad

Christchurch: Veteran wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed and all-rounder Hussain Talat were on Sunday recalled to Pakistan’s 18-member squad for the three T20Is against New Zealand, beginning 18 December in Auckland. Talat played his last T20I against South Africa at Centurion in February last year, while former skipper Sarfaraz has reclaimed his spot from Rohail Nazir after missing the Zimbabwe series. The squad was finalised by head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam in consultation with Pakistan Shaheens coach Ijaz Ahmed, who also locked his 16-member squad for the four-day match against New Zealand ‘A’ to be played in Whangarei from 17 December. [caption id=“attachment_8695671” align=“alignnone” width=“640”] File image of Sarfaraz Ahmed. AP[/caption] “For the T20Is, we have retained the squad that has been playing together for some time,” Misbah said in a statement. “The squad comprises young, talented and high-performing players, who are determined and eager to make names for themselves and further cement their places in the side. “New Zealand boasts some of the best cricket facilities … I want my players to make optimum use of the upcoming opportunities by expressing themselves by playing fearlessly every time they take the field.” Both Pakistan and Pakistan Shaheens squads are scheduled to depart for Queenstown on Tuesday, after completing their 14-day isolation period in Christchurch. In Queenstown, both the sides will stay in different hotels and train at different times and according to their match requirements. Following the conclusion of the T20I series, Imad Wasim will depart for Australia on December 23 to play in Australia’s Big Bash League, while Mohammad Hafeez will leave for Pakistan on 24 December. Pakistan’s Test side players who will not be involved in the T20Is, will remain with Pakistan Shaheens to prepare for the red-ball series, which commences at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui on 26 December. As part of their preparation for the four-day match against New Zealand A, which begins on 17 December, Shaheens will also play intra-squad practice matches in Queenstown. Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Musa Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Qadir and Wahab Riaz. Pakistan Shaheens squad: Rohail Nazir (captain), Abid Ali, Amad Butt, Azhar Ali, Danish Aziz, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah, Zafar Gohar and Zeeshan Malik.