3 Unlucky Players In Pakistan Squad Who Might Not Get A Single Match In NZ T20Is

Pakistan will face NZ in 5 T20Is [Source: AP]

After an embarrassing group-stage exit from the Champions Trophy, Pakistan are getting ready to take on New Zealand on an eight-match white-ball tour. The first T20I of the five-match series will be played on 16th March in Christchurch. 

Pakistan took some bold selection calls in order to revamp their T20I squad before next year’s World Cup. Although they still have a raw team, there are three players who might not get a single match in the series. 

1. Mohammad Ali

Experienced fast bowler Mohammad Ali received a call-up to Pakistan’s T20I setup following his impressive run in the domestic circuit and PSL. Known for his ability to make the new ball talk, Ali has scalped 58 wickets at an average of 15.13 and a strike rate of 12.2. 

However, Pakistan have a formidable fast bowling trio comprising Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Abbas Afridi. These three players are proven performers in T20Is, as mentioned below. 

(T20I stats of Shaheen, Rauf and Abbas)

Thus, despite being talented, Mohammad Ali might not get a single T20I in the New Zealand series, with Pakistan likely to prefer Shaheen as their new ball specialist and Rauf and Abbas as their go-to men in the middle and death overs. 

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2. Jahandad Khan

Jahandad Khan is a promising bowling all-rounder, having showcased his mettle with bat and ball in the Pakistan Super League. In 33 T20 matches, the 21-year-old has bagged 37 wickets while scoring 231 runs at a strike rate of 184.80. 

However, although he deserves to play in the New Zealand T20Is, the comeback of Shadab Khan and Khushdil Shah might force Pakistan to ignore Jahandad in the series. 

Shadab has returned to the team after a long hiatus and Khushdil has been in prolific form since the Bangladesh Premier League. Thus, with captain Agha Salman playing as another all-rounder and Shaheen, Rauf and Abbas leading their fast bowling department, the visitors might not have a vacant spot for Jahandad Khan. 

3. Hasan Nawaz

(A comparison of Pakistan's top-order batters)

Young batter Hasan Nawaz received a call-up to Pakistan’s T20I team for his impressive returns in domestic cricket. In 21 innings, he has amassed 492 runs at an average of 23.42 and a strike rate of 131.20. 

However, he is a top-order batter and Pakistan have three prominent names to bat at the top - Usman Khan, Mohammad Haris and Omair Yousuf. While Omair seems the front-runner to open the innings, the destructive duo of Usman and Haris is expected to capitalise on New Zealand’s batting-friendly conditions. 

In such a scenario, Hasan Nawaz might not get a game, although he deserves to represent the national side. 

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