Pakistan’s selectors changed their minds before the ODI series against New Zealand and brought back Haris Rauf. The series runs from March 29 to April 5, featuring three matches. Initially, Haris wasn’t included as they looked to mix things up after a rough time in the Champions Trophy. But now, he’s back in the ODI squad, which has already started training, according to news from Press Trust of India.
A PCB source mentioned that selector Aaqib Javed also asked for a backup wicketkeeper-batter. Muhammad Haris or Usman Khan are likely to stay for the series starting in Napier on Saturday. Babar Azam and captain Mohammad Rizwan, who missed out on the T20I series, will be back in the ODI lineup.
Haris and Shaheen Shah Afridi were left out of the ODI team after their performances in the Champions Trophy. While both played in the recent T20I series, they weren’t selected for the one-day games. Still, Haris impressed in the T20 series, taking seven wickets even on pitches that favored batters, despite Pakistan losing 1-4 against New Zealand. His strong showing made the selectors reconsider their earlier decision. Meanwhile, Shaheen, who skipped the final T20I, hasn’t made it back into the ODI squad.
Here’s the ODI squad for Pakistan in New Zealand: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, and Haris Rauf.
