Abrar Ahmed likely to replace Mohammad Ali for do-or-die T20I game against NZ

Pakistan is expected to replace medium-pacer Mohammad Ali with leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed for the third T20 match against New Zealand, scheduled for Friday in Auckland.

A reliable source informed Nukta that "Abrar will return to the side, taking Ali’s spot."

Abrar was part of Pakistan’s playing XI in the first game in Christchurch where he bowled just 2.1 overs, conceded 15 runs and got the wicket of Tim Siefert who had smashed a 29-ball 44 to enable New Zealand chase the 92-run target in 10.1 overs after losing only one wicket.

Fellow leg-spinner Shadab Khan also bowled in both games but was more costly, delivering only three overs in total.

Debutant Mohammad Ali proved expensive in Dunedin, giving up 34 runs in just two overs. Finn Allen hit him for three sixes in an 18-run first over, and in his second, Tim Seifert struck a six and two fours, costing him 16 runs.

Pakistan, fielding several fresh players like Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad, has faced challenges in the series. Hasan Nawaz was dismissed for zero in both matches.

Wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris, despite some prior experience, has not made an impact as an opener, and Irfan Khan Niazi has also struggled with the conditions in New Zealand.

In the rain-shortened second match, Pakistan scored 135-9 in 15 overs, but New Zealand successfully chased it in 13.1 overs with five wickets in hand.

Captain Salman Ali Agha stood out in the previous match, scoring an aggressive 46 off 28 balls, including three sixes and four boundaries.

Training camp for ODI series

Following the five-match T20I series, Pakistan will also take part in a three-match ODI series with the Kiwis.

Preparation for the ODI series will see nine players start training at Lahore’s LCCA Ground on Wednesday.

Training sessions, beginning at 8 p.m., will feature Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Akif Javed, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Naseem Shah.

The remaining ODI squad members—Agha Salman, Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Ali, and Sufyan Muqeem—are currently involved in the T20 series in New Zealand.

After the T20s, a back-up wicketkeeper will be included in the ODI squad to support Rizwan, who is set to captain in that format.

Following the disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, Rizwan, Babar, and Naseem were excluded from the T20 squad for the New Zealand tour, as selectors aim to rebuild a fresh team ahead of the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup.