Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s cricket team begins its preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Thursday with a five-match series against New Zealand at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The series will see matches played in Rawalpindi and Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, signaling a rigorous start to Pakistan’s campaign for the global tournament.
According to Pakistan Cricket Board, this series is crucial as it marks the return of Babar Azam as the white-ball captain and includes three uncapped players—Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Irfan Khan, and Usman Khan—in the 17-player squad. Veteran players Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim are also making a comeback, alongside fast bowler Naseem Shah, who returns after recovering from an injury sustained last year.
Azhar Mahmood debuts as the head coach of the men’s national team, aiming to leverage his previous experience as the team’s bowling coach to steer Pakistan in this significant pre-World Cup phase. Both teams view this series as pivotal, with New Zealand’s captain Michael Bracewell expressing confidence in his team’s ability to perform well in T20 formats and challenge Pakistan on their home turf.
The series is not only a preparation for the upcoming World Cup but also a continuation of the keen rivalry between Pakistan and New Zealand, following their recent encounters which saw each team securing a series win.
The first match is scheduled to start with a toss at 7 pm local time, followed by the first ball at 7:30 pm.