Devastating batsman Usman Khan got a chance to play for his native Pakistan despite being banned from the UAE board. The selectors have included Usman in the announced squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand. Apart from this, two cricketers Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim who retired have been returned to this historic squad.

Apart from Usman, middle order batsman Irfan Khan has been called up for the first time. Irfan bagged the Best Emerging Cricketer and Best Fielder awards in the recently concluded Pakistan Super League. He scored 171 runs for Karachi Kings at a strike rate of 140.16. Usman smashed two centuries for Multan Sultans. The in-form 28-year-old had earlier decided to play for the UAE out of pride. However, he was banned by the Emirates Cricket Board when he came to the radar of the Pakistan national team.

Mohammad Amir, who retired in 2020, and Imad Wasim, who retired last year, have been brought back into the New Zealand series squad after calling it quits. Selector and team manager Wahab Riaz said, 'Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir have been included in the team considering Haris Rauf's injury and Mohammad Nawaz's form. Both Amir and Imad are capable of winning the match. We are trusting them.'

Meanwhile, Abrar Ahmed has retained his place in the squad even though he did not debut. The five-match T20 series between Pakistan and New Zealand will begin on April 18, which will be held in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Pakistan Squad

Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan.