The Pakistan cricket team players were invited to an iftar dinner by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir at the Army House Rawalpindi on Monday.
Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi was also present alongside players, who trained at the Army School of Physical Training (ASPT) camp in Kakul, Abbottabad earlier this month ahead of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
“General Syed Asim Munir hosted an Iftar Dinner for Pakistan Cricket Team at Army House Rawalpindi. Pakistan Cricket Team underwent and concluded physical training at the Army School of Physical Training (ASPT) camp in Kakul, Abbottabad,” said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) in a press release.
“Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi along with PCB officials also attended the Iftar. The cricketers thanked COAS for the excellent training extended provided to them at Kakul and the role the Army plays in supporting the games in Pakistan.”
Earlier today, the PCB confirmed the team management for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand with former pacer Azhar Mahmood being named as the head coach.
Meanwhile, Wahab Riaz was named as the senior team manager, while Mohammad Yousuf will be the batting coach. Saeed Ajmal, who was the bowling coach on the last tours of Australia and New Zealand, will continue as the spin bowling coach.
The national selection committee is expected the announce the squad for the series against New Zealand on Tuesday in a press conference, as per the sources.
Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Irfan Khan Niazi, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Zaman Khan are expected to be part of the squad.
Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Abbas Afridi are also likely to be included in the 18-member contingent.
One of Abrar Ahmed and Usama Mir will also be included in the squad for the series.
New Zealand T20I squad for Pakistan tour
Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Adam Milne, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi
Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series schedule
14 April — New Zealand arrive in Pakistan
16-17 April — Training/practice
18 April — 1st T20I, Rawalpindi
20 April — 2nd T20I, Rawalpindi
21 April — 3rd T20I, Rawalpindi
25 April — 4th T20I, Lahore
27 April — 5th T20I, Lahore