The selection committee, headed by former Pakistan all-rounder Shahid Afridi, made the call on the very first day of their office. Shahnawaz Dahani, Mir Hamza and Sajid Khan are the players added to the 16-man Test squad that was announced three days ago.
“We had a good discussion on the squad and agreed we needed to strengthen our bowling department to give ourselves the best chance of taking 20 wickets in a match,” Afridi said in a press-release.
“Taking into consideration recent form and performances, we have added fast bowlers Mir Hamza and Shahnawaz Dahani, and off-spinner Sajid Khan.
“I am confident the inclusion of three additional bowling resources will give Babar Azam more options to field the best available squad for the first Test,” he added.
Dhani is the only uncapped among the three but has played two ODIs and 11 T20Is so far for Pakistan.
Pakistan squad for New Zealand Tests:
Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Zahid Mehmood.
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