LAHORE, Pakistan: Uncapped middle-order batter Muhammad Irfan Khan and flamboyant opener Usman Khan have been named in the 17-player Pakistan men’s cricket team for the five-T20I Series against New Zealand which will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from April 18 to 27, 2024.
The two highly-talented players have earned the selectors’ nod following impressive performances in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Irfan Khan of Karachi Kings was adjudged the Emerging Player and Best Fielder of the HBL PSL 9 after scoring 171 runs at a strike-rate of 140.16.
Overall, the 21-year-old Mianwali-born Irfan has featured in 34 T20s in which he has scored 499 runs at a strike-rate of 135.96. Irfan has also represented Pakistan in the ICC U19 Cricket World Cups 2020 and 2022.
Usman Khan of Multan Sultans smashed two centuries and two half-centuries in the most recent event to help his side reach the final where they lost to Islamabad United in a last-ball thriller.
In the HBL PSL 8, the 28-year-old Karachi-born right-hander had smashed a 36-ball century against Quetta Gladiators – the fastest century in the tournament’s history. Overall, Usman has featured in 36 T20s in which he has scored 1,207 runs at a strike-rate of 146.12.
Pakistan Squad for New Zealand T20Is:
- Babar Azam (Captain)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Azam Khan
- Fakhar Zaman
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Imad Wasim
- Mohammad Abbas Afridi
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Mohmmad Amir
- Muhammad Irfan Khan
- Naseem Shah
- Saim Ayub
- Shadab Khan
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Usama Mir
- Usman Khan
- Zaman Khan
Non-travelling Reserves:
- Haseebullah
- Mohammad Ali
- Mohammad Wasim Jnr
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Salman Ali Agha
