PAK vs NZ: Pakistan Hoping Senior Players To Step Up Against New Zealand

The Pakistan cricket team is gearing up for a busy schedule ahead as they prepare to take on New Zealand in a home series comprising five T20Is and five ODIs starting from May 7. After being rested for the series against Afghanistan, senior players including captain Babar Azam are set to make a comeback to the side, and this will definitely boost the team's morale.

The team management will be pleased to have Babar Azam back in the squad, who is currently ranked as the top batsman in the ICC ODI rankings. The skipper has been in terrific form with the bat in recent times, having scored 228 runs at an average of 76.00 in the series against South Africa earlier this year. With his impeccable technique and ability to play both pace and spin with equal ease, Azam is definitely a vital cog in the Pakistani batting line-up.

Apart from Azam, the likes of Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik, and Imad Wasim are also expected to make a comeback to the side. These experienced campaigners have been rested for the Afghanistan series to give opportunities to some of the younger players, and their presence in the team will provide much-needed stability and balance.

The series against New Zealand marks the start of a hectic schedule for Pakistan, with continuous white-ball cricket scheduled until May 7. After the New Zealand series, the Men in Green will travel to Sri Lanka in July for a two-Test series, and this will be followed by the ICC T20 World Cup later in the year.

The upcoming series against New Zealand will be crucial for Pakistan, who will be looking to build momentum ahead of the T20 World Cup. The team has been inconsistent in the T20 format in recent times, having won only four of their last ten matches. With the World Cup just a few months away, the team management will be hoping for a strong showing against the Kiwis.

In addition to the return of the senior players, the team management will also be pleased with the performances of some of the younger players in the recent series against Afghanistan. Players like Usman Qadir, Arshad Iqbal, and Haider Ali have shown promise, and it will be interesting to see how they perform against tougher opposition in the form of New Zealand.

The Pakistani cricket fans will also be eagerly looking forward to the series, as it marks the return of international cricket to the country after a gap of nearly two years. The last international series played in Pakistan was against Sri Lanka in 2019, and since then, the country has had to host its home matches in the UAE.

The PCB has been working tirelessly to bring back international cricket to Pakistan, and their efforts have finally paid off. The board has taken several steps to ensure the safety and security of the players, and the successful hosting of the series against Zimbabwe last year and South Africa earlier this year is a testament to their hard work.

In conclusion, the upcoming series against New Zealand marks the start of a crucial period for Pakistan cricket. With a busy schedule ahead, the team will be looking to build momentum and gain confidence ahead of the T20 World Cup later in the year. The return of the senior players and the promising performances of the younger players bode well for the team, and the Pakistani cricket fans will be hoping for a strong showing from their team.