Pakistan pace sensation Shaheen Afridi will be seen in a new role when he leads Pakistan in the five-match T20I series against New Zealand scheduled to begin from Friday, 12 January 2024, with the first game at Eden Park in Auckland. Shaheen’s new role as captain coincides with the upcoming T20I World Cup 2024 that is around the corner. Shaheen Afridi previously has led Pakistan in the PSL guiding the team to back-to-back titles. Mohammad Rizwan has been named his deputy.

This match promises to be a thrilling start to the series, with Shaheen Afridi hoping to start his T20I captaincy on a strong note. With the start of this series, Pakistan will also kick off their T20I World Cup preparation, getting their combinations and strategies in place. At the T20I World Cup 2022, Pakistan had done fairly well while making it to the final but lost to England. This time around, they have new man at the helm of affairs that would obviously be bringing new approach in the team. 

Pakistan are with their full-strength squad with the likes of Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan and Iftikhar Ahmed in the batting department, while their bowling attack will see the presence of Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr. and Shaheen Afridi himself. 

New Zealand, led by their dynamic captain Kane Williamson, will be looking to capitalize on home advantage. New Zealand too boast a formidable squad with the likes of Kane Williamson, Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips and Devon Conway in the batting order. Their bowling attack will have the likes of Tim Southee, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson and Ish Sodhi.

New Zealand Probable XI: Devon Conway (wk), Finn Allen, Kane Williamson (c), Daryl Mitchell, Glenn Phillips, Mark Chapman, Mitchell Santner, Tim Southee, Ish Sodhi, Matt Henry, Adam Milne

Pakistan Probable XI: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan/Mohammad Wasim Jr