Shan Masood, Haris Sohail recalled for NZ ODIs 

Wrist spinner Usama Mir and uncapped batters Tayyab Tahir and Kamran Ghulam, have been named in Pakistan’s 16 man squad for the forthcoming series against the Kiwis. The squad also featured a few surprises in Shan Massod, Haris Sohail but Mohammad Haris, Khusdil Shah and Zahid Mehmood failed to find a place in the ODI setup. Opening batter Sharjeel Khan who was included in the probables list last week, also doesn’t make the final cut. 

While Kamran Ghulam is part of the Test squad, Tahur and Mir earned maiden calls on the back of some remarkable numbers in the Pakistan Cup. Tahir scored 573 runs in the tournament which won him the Best batter award whereas Mir bagged the corresponding award for bowlers picking up 28 wickets in the competition. 

Pakistan vice captain Shadab Khan was unavailable for selection after fracturing his right index finger in Australia last week. 

Quickie Haris Rauf, who sustained an injury during the opening test match against England in Rawalpindi has “regained full fitness” as per the Pakistan Cricket Board and thereby included. However, pacer Shaheen Afridi has been given more time to recover following the  medical panel advice “despite making good progress" according to Pakistan Cricket Board. "He is expected to return to competitive cricket next month in the Pakistan T20 League 8," the board said further in a release. 

ODI squad: Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir and Usama Mir

“We had limited ODI cricket last year and this year, we are scheduled to play 11 ODIs before we participate in the Asia T20, followed by the World Series in conditions that will be familiar to us. So, we aim to make optimum use of these 11 ODIs by providing opportunities to our consistent performers that will enable us to select the best available players for the two important tournaments," said the interim chief selector, Shahid Afridi 

"In this background, we have decided to recall experienced Haris Sohail and Shan Masood as we believe the two lads still have plenty to offer to Pakistan cricket. We have not only rewarded Tayyab Tahir and Usama Mir for their outstanding performances in our domestic events, they have also been identified as future prospects. These four players, along with Kamran Ghulam, have good knowledge of our conditions and have the talent and potential to excel at the highest level.

"Players who could not make in the ODI side will remain in contention as the objective from this series is to have absolute clarity on the pool of players for international cricket in 2023 and beyond. For this reason, outstanding domestic performers and senior players getting back to form and fitness have been given opportunities to showcase their performances. Workload management and separate squads for red and white-ball cricket is also under consideration, which will require a wider pool of players. I urge the players to continue to work hard and be ready for a call-up."