Babar Azam excited to lead 'blend of youth, experience' in New Zealand series
Cricket
'We had a great fitness camp in Kakul and are looking forward to express ourselves as unit'
- Babar says inclusion of Shadab and Imad bolsters the batting
- Kiwis skipper Bracewell says young players have been given an opportunity to prove their mettle
RAWALPINDI (Dunya News) – Pakistan skipper Babar Azam said on Wednesday he was excited to lead the team having a blend of youth and experience in the New Zealand T20I series which is set to commence on April 18.
Addressing a press conference, Azam said New Zealand would challenge us at different points in the series.
“This five-match T20I series holds a lot of importance for us as we look forward to preparing for the all-important mega event. We had a great fitness camp in Kakul and are looking forward to express ourselves as unit,” he said.
Babar said that with the inclusion of Shadab and Imad in the team, the batting had become stronger.
Skipper Bracewell, while addressing the media, said young players had been given opportunity in the team. “We will try to display our best against Pakistan,” he added.
Pakistan will kick off their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 preparations on Thursday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium when they will take on New Zealand in first of the five matches.
The venue will also host matches on Saturday and Sunday, while Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium will be the stage for the remaining two matches next week on Thursday and Saturday.
This will be the third five-match series between the two sides inside a 12-month period. Last year, Pakistan and New Zealand drew the series 2-2 in Pakistan, while New Zealand clinched the series 4-1 earlier this year in their backyard.
