Pakistan cricket team faces a setback as wicketkeeper Azam Khan has been sidelined from the ongoing T20 series against New Zealand due to injury. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced Azam's exclusion from the team following a leg injury, advising him to rest for ten days. Consequently, Azam will miss the remaining T20 matches, with the series set to conclude in Lahore on 27th April. He will undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy under the supervision of the PCB's medical panel.

Despite Azam Khan's absence, his exclusion may not significantly impact the team, as he had not featured in the matches thus far. Veteran batsman Mohammad Rizwan has been shouldering the wicketkeeping responsibilities, with Azam not getting an opportunity even in the second T20, where Pakistan secured a commanding victory.

The Pakistan cricket team for the T20 series against New Zealand comprises:

• Babar Azam (captain)
• Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
• Saim Ayub
• Usman Khan
• Iftikhar Ahmed
• Imad Wasim
• Shadab Khan
• Shaheen Afridi
• Naseem Shah
• Mohammad Amir
• Abbas Afridi
• Abrar Ahmed
• Fakhar Zaman
• Irfan Khan Niazi
• Usama Mir
• Zaman Khan

Reserves:

• Hasibullah
• Mohammad Ali
• Agha Salman
• Sahibzada Farhan
• Mohammad Wasim Jr.

With Azam Khan's unfortunate injury sidelining him from the T20 series, the Pakistan team aims to maintain their performance momentum in the absence of the talented wicketkeeper.