According to reliable sources, New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is interested in the prospect of organizing a white-ball series against Pakistan next year.
The proposed series, to be held in New Zealand, may consist of either five T20Is or three ODI matches.
The series could commence during the second week of January, as New Zealand has a free window before its home series against South Africa in February.
New Zealand has offered to host the series, with the conclusion of Pakistan’s tour of Australia in January 2024 acting as a window of opportunity. The three-match Test series will end on January 7.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is anticipated to explore this proposal with its stakeholders, with the final verdict regarding the tour expected to come in the next several days.
PCB appoints selection committee members
Previously, the chairman of the PCB management committee, Najam Sethi, disclosed the names of the members of the fresh selection committee for the national men’s team.
Sethi confirmed that the selection committee would comprise Chief Selector Haroon Rasheed, Team Director Mickey Arthur, Head Coach Grant Bradburn, and Data Analyst Hassan Cheema. “We intend to integrate data into our selection, and Hassan is an expert in this area,” Sethi remarked.
Hassan Cheema is currently the strategy manager for the Islamabad United franchise in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Haroon Rasheed featured in 23 Tests and 12 ODIs from 1977 to 1983 and served as chief selector in the 2015-16 season.
Mickey Arthur is part of the coaching staff for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, the tour to Australia, and the home series against the West Indies. He will also be with the team during Pakistan’s matches against India in the ACC Asia Cup.
During his tenure from 2016 to 2019, Arthur coached Pakistan to the number one spot in Tests and T20Is and assisted the team in winning the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017.
Moreover, the PCB recently confirmed the appointment of Grant Bradburn as head coach of Pakistan’s national men’s team for a two-year term.
Bradburn also served as the head coach on a consultancy basis for the Pakistan team during the recent home series against New Zealand.
