As the eagerly anticipated five-match T20 International series against New Zealand approaches, a group of six players from the Pakistan T20I squad embarked on their journey on Wednesday night, heading to Auckland via Dubai from Lahore.

The selected six players, comprising Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haseebullah Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Sahibzada Farhan, had actively participated in a focused four-day camp held at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. The camp, conducted under the guidance of high-performance coach Yasir Arafat, featured intensive training sessions and match scenario drills aimed at refining their modern T20 cricket skills. The camp concluded on Tuesday, marking the conclusion of the preparatory phase.

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In addition to the departing group, nine other players, namely Ahmed Shehzad, Arif Yaqoob, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Amir Khan, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Imran, Omair Bin Yousaf, Sajjad Ali Jnr, and Shahab Khan, were actively involved in the comprehensive series preparation camp.

The left-arm spinner, Mohammad Nawaz, who had been released from the Test squad, has redirected his focus to training alongside bowlers Zaman Khan, Haris Rauf, and Usama Mir, gearing up specifically for the T20I series. The quartet is scheduled to depart from Australia for Auckland on January 5, where they will reunite with the remaining members of the T20 squad.

This meticulous preparation involving dedicated training camps and the strategic departure of players underscores the significance placed on honing skills and building team cohesion ahead of the crucial T20 International series against New Zealand. The collaborative efforts of the coaching staff and players reflect a commitment to optimal performance and readiness for the upcoming cricketing challenges.