LAHORE: Pakistan’s training camp for their upcoming five-match Twenty20 International tour to New Zealand kicked off here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.

Meanwhile, the national U-19 side also started its final preparations — at the National Cricket Academy nearby — for the U-19 World Cup, which is set to be held in South Africa next month.

The senior team’s training camp is scheduled to run until January 3, after which the squad will embark on its journey to Auckland for the series that commences on January 12.

The Pakistan U19 squad, set to compete in the ICC Junior World Cup, will depart for South Africa on January 6.

Notably, on the inaugural day of the training camp, Azam Khan, Haseebullah Khan, and specially invited players Umair bin Younusf, Arif Yaqoob, Mohammad Aamir Khan, and Mohammad Imran were absent.

They are expected to join the camp on Saturday. Players currently part of the Pakistan Test squad in Australia and the ones participating in the Big Bash League, will join the team in Auckland. Yasir Arafat, the newly-appointed Pakistan high-performance coach, has also joined the camp.

During interactions with the media, Sahibzada Farhan, back in the national squad after five years, expressed his determination to deliver a strong performance if selected in the playing XI against New Zealand.

Farhan, who has played three T20Is, emphasised his experience as a regular opener and at the one-down position over the last three years.

He acknowledged the challenges of the New Zealand tour but expressed confidence in the team’s preparation to secure a series victory, citing Pakistan’s historically strong record against the Kiwis.

Farhan highlighted his admiration for Babar Azam, considering him his favorite player.

Pakistan squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan (wicket-keeper), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan

Pakistan U-19 squad: Saad Baig (captain and wicket-keeper), Ali Asfand (vice-captain), Ali Raza, Ahmad Hassan, Amir Hassan, Arafat Minhas,

Azan Awais, Haroon Arshad, Khubaib Khalil, Mohammad Zeeshan, Naveed Ahmed Khan, Shahzaib Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Mohammad Riazullah, Ubaid Shah.

Published in Dawn, December 30th, 2023