Asad Shafiq dropped as Pakistan name 35-member squad for New Zealand tour

Veteran middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq has been dropped from Pakistan’s 35-member squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Shafiq, who has featured in 77 Test matches, has been left out of the Pakistan red-ball squad for the first time in his 10-year career.

“Asad Shafiq has been left out due to lack of form after he managed 510 runs in his last 15 innings, including a total of 67 runs in England,” said Pakistan’s head coach-cum-chief selector Misbahul Haq.

“Asad is an experienced batsman and I am sure he will utilise this time to work harder on his game in the domestic first-class matches so that he, like Sarfaraz Ahmed, can reclaim his form and be back in contention for the upcoming Tests against South Africa and Zimbabwe,” he added.

Pakistan name 35-player squad for New Zealand.#NZvPAK #HarHaalMainCricket pic.twitter.com/qnrt9bmrXI

— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) November 11, 2020

While selecting the squads, chief selector and head coach Misbahul Haq consulted the six Cricket Association head coaches, Shaheens head coach Ijaz Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq, head of international player development.

Babar Azam has been confirmed Pakistan captain in all formats. His vice-captain in Tests will be Mohammad Rizwan, while Shadab will be the vice-captain.

The PCB has also appointed Rohail Nazir as Shaheens’ captain with Haider Ali as his vice-captain. The two had performed these responsibilities at this year’s ICC U19 Cricket World Cup in South Africa earlier this year. 

The players, along with 20-member players support personnel, will depart for Lincoln on November 23, where they will spend the mandatory 14-day quarantine period.

Apart from the 35 players involved in pre-series intra-squad matches as part of their preparations, Pakistan men’s national team players not involved in international matches against New Zealand will be available for selection for the Shaheens’ matches against New Zealand A.

This means Test players not involved in the T20Is in the first half of the series against New Zealand will be available for selection for Shaheens, who are expected to be playing four-day matches against New Zealand A during that period. Likewise, when the national side is involved in the ICC World Test Championship matches against New Zealand, national men’s team players not part of those matches will be available for selection for the Shaheens, who are expected to be involved in 20-over games against New Zealand A during those days.

Pakistan v New Zealand (in bracket are start times in Pakistan Standard Times):

Dec 18 – 1st T20I, Eden Park, Auckland (1200 PST)

Dec 20 – 2nd T20I, Seddon Park, Hamilton (1200 PST)

Dec 22 – 3rd T20I, McLean Park, Napier (1200 PST)

Dec 26-30 – 1st Test, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui (0400 PST)

Jan 3-7 – 2nd Test, Hagley Oval, Christchurch (0400 PST)

Schedule of Shaheens vs New Zealand A will be announced as soon as it is confirmed by the NZC.