Pakistan fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi is set to make a comeback to international cricket after a four-month break, as he has been named in the T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming home series against New Zealand. The series will take place across Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Karachi from April 14 to May 7. Captain Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who were rested for the T20Is against Afghanistan, will also return to the side.
Shaheen had suffered a knee injury during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in July last year, which forced him to miss five Tests and three ODIs against England and New Zealand while he completed his rehabilitation after the men’s T20 World Cup. The fast bowler last played for Pakistan in the final of the T20 World Cup, where he was able to bowl just 2.1 overs and take a wicket before being forced to leave the field in the 16th over due to the injury.
With his recovery complete, Shaheen will be looking forward to playing a crucial role in Pakistan’s bowling attack against New Zealand. The left-arm fast bowler has been in good form in T20 cricket recently, and his return to the national side will be a big boost for the team. Captain Babar Azam will also be eager to lead his side to victory after having missed the T20I series against Afghanistan. Overall, the inclusion of Shaheen, Babar, and Rizwan will give Pakistan a strong chance of winning the series against New Zealand.
Pakistan T20I squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Zaman Khan
Pakistan ODI squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Usama Mir. Reserves: Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed and Tayyab Tahir