Trophy for Pak-NZ Test series unveiled ahead of first match

The trophy for the two-match Test series between Pakistan and New Zealand has been unveiled at the National Stadium Karachi, 24NewsHD TV channel reported on Sunday.

The glittering trophy was revealed by Pakistan’s skipper Babar Azam and his New Zealand counterpart Tim Southee as both the captains posed with the trophy.

Earlier, both teams held final practice sessions ahead of the first Test; commencing on December 26 (tomorrow). Players from both teams participated in rigorous batting, bowling, and fielding drills, meanwhile the management and captains of the two sides assessed the pitch keenly in order to make their best move in the series.

Babar Azam addressing a pre-series press conference said that the squad for the first test would be finalized after holding a consultation with new chief selector Shahid Afridi. 

He said the team would try to make a comeback in the New Zealand series after it faced a whitewash in the Test series against England.

Pakistan Test squad NZ Series

Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood and Zahid Mehmood.

A day earlier, the PCB and New Zealand Cricket mutually agreed to shift the second Test from Multan to Karachi due to deteriorating weather conditions, which have already disrupted flight operations and may also potentially result in the loss of playing hours.

It has also been agreed between the two boards that the second Test and the three ODIs will now be brought forward by a day, which means the second Test will commence on 2 January. The first Test will start on Dec 26 while the three ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League fixtures to be played on 9, 11 and 13 January.

Revised itinerary

26-30 December — 1st Test, Karachi

2-6 January — 2nd Test, Karachi

9 January — 1st ODI, Karachi

11 January — 2nd ODI, Karachi

13 January — 3rd ODI, Karachi