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Shaheen Afridi Replaced? 3 Youngsters Who Can Get Surprise Entry In PAK Squad For NZ T20Is

Debashis Sarangi

Pakistan might rest Shaheen for NZ T20Is [Source: AP]Pakistan might rest Shaheen for NZ T20Is [Source: AP]

After suffering a disastrous group-stage exit in the ICC Champions Trophy, Pakistan are gearing up to face New Zealand in five T20Is and three ODI matches. While the One-Day games have little significance, the T20 encounters will help them fine-tune their combination for the 2026 World Cup in India. 

Pakistan Likely To Rest Seniors Including Shaheen vs NZ

According to several media reports, the PCB will likely rest a majority of the senior players for the New Zealand tour. While large doubts loom over Babar Azam's spot, the likes of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah might be rested for the T20Is. 

As Pakistan consider selecting a relatively young team for the New Zealand T20Is, here are three proven youngsters who might be included in their squad. 

1. Zaman Khan - 23 Years

Criterion
Wickets
Average
In T20 Cricket129
23.69/16.60
In PSL4424.02/16.40

(Zaman Khan's Record In T20s)

  • Pakistan's fast bowling sensation Zaman Khan has been a proven performer in the shortest format. In 103 T20s, Zaman has bagged 129 wickets at an average of 23.69 and a strike rate of 16.6. 
  • Apart from swinging the new ball up front, Zaman can be a tricky customer with the ball in the middle and death overs. In the National T20 Cup last year, Zaman picked up ten wickets in eight outings. So, as Pakistan are considering revamping their squad, Zaman might get a surprise recall into the T20I setup. 

2. Yasir Khan - 22 Years

Criterion
Runs
Average/SR
In National T20 2023-2435035/144.62
Overall Record91526.91/138.21

(Yasir Khan's stats in T20s)

  • Pakistan will likely be without Saim Ayub, as the southpaw hasn't recovered from an ankle injury he sustained during the South Africa tour. Additionally, Fakhar Zaman is battling with an injury, while Pakistan's think tank is considering excluding Babar Azam from the T20I setup, as per the latest reports. 
  • In such a scenario, swashbuckling right-handed batter Yasir Khan could be a wildcard entry in Pakistan's T20I squad. The dynamic opener is only 22 years old and has had an impressive T20 career. 
  • As evidenced by the stats above, Yasir Khan has a superb strike rate of 138.21 in 35 innings. He was magnificent in the National T20 Cup last year and could be rewarded for his domestic success. 

3. Mohammad Imran - 24 years

Criterion
Wickets
Average/SR
Overall7323.10/16.6
National T20 Cup 2023-242011/10.80

(Mohammad Imran's Impressive T20 Record)

  • Promising fast bowler Mohammad Imran is known for his ability to excel across all three phases of the game. Besides making the new ball talk in the powerplay, Imran can bamboozle the batters with his cutters and variations in the middle and death overs. 
  • Imran, who has 73 T20 wickets to his name, performed remarkably for Peshawar in the National T20 Cup last year. He bagged 20 wickets at a magnificent average of 11 and a strike rate of 10.80 while conceding runs at a surreal economy of 6.11. 
  • He has been knocking at the selection doors for quite a while now, and if Pakistan decide to rest Shaheen Afridi against New Zealand, Imran can get a surprise call-up for the tour.