Rain is likely to spoil the five-match T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand, reports Geo News. The five-match series will kick off on April 18 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and all the matches will be played in Rawalpindi. Rain and thunderstorms are expected to hit the city on Tuesday and continue throughout the week, Geo News reported. Team New Zealand arrived in Islamabad on Sunday ahead of the five-match series.

Ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup in June this year, New Zealand and the Men in Green will look to fine-tune their squads and assess the players who can feature in the 15-man squad for the marquee event.

With most of its players involved in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, New Zealand has appointed experienced all-rounder Michael Bracewell as captain for the tour.

Bracewell has not played internationally since March last year and only recently returned home due to injury issues including a ruptured Achilles tendon and a broken finger.

Pakistan will be led by Babar Azam, who recently resumed captaincy in the white-ball format, replacing Shaheen Afridi.

Star pacer Mohammad Amir and all-rounder Imad Wasim have reversed their retirement form and become a sensation in cricket after being selected for the Pakistan national team.

Former fast bowler Azhar Mahmood has been appointed as the head coach for the five-match series. Meanwhile, Wahab Riaz has been appointed as senior team manager and Mohammad Yousuf as batting coach. Saeed Ajmal, who was the bowling coach during the last tour of Australia and New Zealand, will continue as spin bowling coach.

Pakistan will be looking to avenge their 4-1 away defeat to the Black Caps in the T20I series earlier this year.

Line-ups of both teams for the five-match T20I series:

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasi Muhammad Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Rizwan, Muhammad Amir, Irfan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Syed Ayub, Shadab Khan , Shaheen Afridi, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan, Usama Mir.

New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Tom Brundle, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister , Cole McConchie, Zach Fox, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Soddy.

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