Shadab Khan fit to lead Pakistan team ahead of New Zealand T20Is

All-rounder Shadab Khan is fit to lead the Pakistan team during the Twenty20 International (T20I) series against New Zealand, starting on Friday in Auckland.  

Shadab Khan will marshal the troops in the absence of regular skipper Babar Azam, who suffered a fractured thumb during a training session, according to sources.

The leg-spinner took part in an extensive training session on Wednesday, which included bowling, batting and fielding.

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Head Coach Misbahul Haq also discussed the playing XI for the first T20I with Shadab.   

Earlier, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had confirmed that the Islamabad United captain was carrying a groin niggle.

“Pakistan T20I vice-captain Shadab Khan is also carrying a groin niggle, which limited his participation in Sunday’s net sessions to batting only. He had missed the Zimbabwe T20Is due to a similar injury and decision on his participation in the Auckland T20I will be made closer to the match,” the PCB had said in a statement on Sunday.

Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is:

Shadab Khan (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Musa Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Qadir and Wahab Riaz. Babar Azam (withdrawn due to injury)