NEWZEALAND TOUR OF PAKISTAN - (2022-2023)

SHAHID AFRIDI APPOINTED AS A HEAD OF SELECTION COMMITTEE

Just before the Black Caps' first scheduled game in Pakistan in 18 years, New Zealand cancelled its cricket tour of Pakistan on Friday on 17 sept 2021 due to security concerns that baffled the country's residents. Not long before the beginning of the one-day international series in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. New Zealand Cricket says it got a security notice from its specialists, agencies and government department and chosen to drop the tour.

Officials from Pakistan responded angrily, labelling the move as "unilateral" and a plot to harm Pakistan's reputation. Regarding the cancellation of the New Zealand tour, numerous lawmakers and ministers have spoken. Pakistan's Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmed stated that "none of our various intelligence agencies had received any hint of a security concern." even the offer Pakistan made to hold the matches without spectators was denied. 

Ali Haider Zaidi, the federal minister for maritime affairs of Pakistan, expressed his "appalment" over the choice. "Unfortunately, world politics has triumphed over the magnificent game of cricket," he continued. There were no dangers to the security!

David White, the Black Caps' CEO, stated that he could not disregard the advice he was being given. “Player safety is of the utmost importance, and we believe this is the only appropriate course of action, he added. I appreciate this would be a setback for the PCB, who have been excellent hosts.”

The two teams were scheduled to play three one-day matches in Rawalpindi, which is referred to as the twin city of Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, and then a set of five T-20 matches in Lahore, the country's second-largest city.

Now in 2022, New Zealand decided to travel to Pakistan for cricket after the England tour of Pakistan or maybe due to a country's stability, which may have helped to resolve all their security concerns. On their first visit of Pakistan in 19 years, New Zealand will play two Test matches and three ODIs. The trip runs from December 26 until January 13, 2023.

The first Test of the tour will be played in Karachi with the current 15-man New Zealand team, which is captained by seasoned fast bowler Tim Southee.

New Zealand squad include Tim Southee (captain), Michael Bracewell, Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Daryl Mitchell, Henry Nicholls, Ajaz Patel, Glenn Phillips, Ish Sodhi, Blair Tickner, Neil Wagner, Kane Williamson, Will Young

Sethi who is the chairman of PCB management committee, "I have no doubts that despite limited time, they will make gutsy and bold decisions that will enable us develop a strong and competitive team in the series against New Zealand,"

Shahid Afridi, a former captain, has been named the interim chairman of the men's national selection committee for the home series against New Zealand by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee, helmed by Najam Sethi, the board announced in a statement on Saturday on 24 December 2022.

According to Sethi, who praised Afridi as a "attacking cricketer" and claimed that his 20 years of success across all formats had always backed up and nurtured future talent, Therefore, in our opinion, he is the only one who can fully comprehend the rigorous, demands, and difficulties of the modern game.

Asserting that Afridi's understanding and experience of the game will help Pakistan choose the best and most worthy players and contribute to the side's victory in the upcoming series," In a statement, Sethi said he was optimistic.

The previous captain shahid Afridi said, he would before long gather a gathering of selectors and offer his arrangements concerning the forthcoming matches.

He played fabulous and tremendous cricket in the past. Between 1996 and 2018, Shahid Afridi participated in 27 Tests, 398 ODIs, and 99 T20 matches. During this time, he scored 11,196 runs and claimed 541 wickets. In 83 international games, he also served as captain of the national team. He was crucial to the national team's success in 2009 when they won the T20 World Cup.