Emily
Pakistan’s chief selector, Wahab Riaz, has unveiled a 17-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand, commencing on January 12 in Auckland.
During a press conference in Lahore, Wahab shed light on the selection committee’s considerations regarding Azam Khan’s inclusion.
“We’ve closely observed Azam Khan. Sometimes, prioritizing skills over fitness becomes crucial. If a player can single-handedly win a match, that holds greater importance. We’ve had discussions with Azam Khan, conveying a clear message – we aim to invest in him, but he must reciprocate. We can’t expect someone to shed 10 kg in 10 days, but there’s a pathway to enhance fitness. His impactful performances in the PSL, domestic cricket, and other leagues have been noted. We’ve tried several players at various positions, and now we’re offering Azam a chance,” Wahab explained.
Simultaneously, Wahab emphasized the strategic resting of Mohammad Haris for this series, affirming Haris’s significance in the team’s future plans.
“For this series, we’ve opted to rest Mohammad Haris. We acknowledge his capabilities, and he remains a crucial part of our future plans. We wanted to provide opportunities to some standout performers from First Class cricket, aiming to expand our pool of players. Hence, Haris has been rested for this tour,” he stated.