Islamabad: Pakistan’s star cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi are likely to be rested for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, sources revealed. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly considering the move to manage the workload of senior players ahead of a busy international calendar.
The decision comes as part of Pakistan’s strategy to give opportunities to young players while ensuring that key players remain fresh for major tournaments, including the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. If finalized, this will allow emerging talents to showcase their potential on the tour, which is scheduled to take place in January 2025.
While no official announcement has been made, the selection committee, led by Wahab Riaz, is expected to finalize the squad soon. The five-match T20I series against New Zealand will be a crucial test for Pakistan’s new-look team under the leadership of newly appointed white-ball coach Aaqib Javed.
