Lahore-born all-rounder Muhammad Abbas included in New Zealand’s ODI series against Pakistan
New Zealand have announced their squad for the three-match ODI series against Pakistan, with Wellington batsman and all-rounder Muhammad Abbas being included in the national team for the first time. The series will begin in Napier on March 29 and the remaining matches will be played on April 2 and April 5. Tom Latham will lead the team in the absence of regular captain Mitchell Santner, as Santner is currently playing the IPL.
Players like Rachin Ravindra, Devon Conway and Glenn Phillips have not been able to join the team due to the IPL. Also, Matt Henry is recovering from a shoulder injury suffered during the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy. Meanwhile, Kyle Jamieson has been rested.
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New Zealand’s team also includes two uncapped players – Nick Kelly and Muhammad Abbas, who play for Wellington. Apart from these, Auckland leg-spinner Adithya Ashok has also got a place in the team, who made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2023.
Muhammad Abbas: Journey from Punjab to Wellington
Muhammad Abbas’s father, Azhar Abbas, played as a fast bowler in Pakistan’s domestic cricket from 1994 to 2004. He did not get a chance despite coming close to selection in the national team. After this, after a conversation with former New Zealand player Richard Petrie, he got the opportunity to play for Wellington’s Kaori Club.
Azhar took a total of 154 wickets in first-class cricket for Wellington and Auckland and became a successful coach. Today he is the founder of the New Zealand Pace Academy and is also the bowling coach of Wellington.
Muhammad Abbas followed in his father’s footsteps in cricket and performed brilliantly. Born in Pakistan’s Lahore, Muhammad is a batsman and left-arm seam bowler. By the age of 14, he had scored seven centuries, including two in T20 matches. He was included in the ODI team after his impressive performance in the Ford Trophy, where he scored 340 runs and took 5 wickets.
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Muhammad Abbas selection: Success through performance
Muhammad Abbas performed brilliantly for Wellington in the Ford Trophy, where he scored 340 runs at an average of 42.50. He was selected on the basis of innings of 50 and 104 runs and important wicket-taking performance. He has so far played only three first-class matches in the Plunket Shield, in which he scored more than 20 in six innings and also took six wickets.
Series Schedule:
First ODI: March 29, McLean Park, Napier
Second ODI: April 2, McLean Park, Napier
Third ODI: April 5, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
When this New Zealand team takes the field against Pakistan, an exciting match will be seen with many new faces.
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