PAK vs NZ | Pakistan announces squad for ODI series, Haris Sohail and Fakhar Zaman return to side

"We had limited ODI cricket last year and this year, we are scheduled to play 11 ODIs before we participate in the ACC Asia Cup, followed by the World Cup in conditions that will be familiar to us. So we aim to make optimum use of these 11 ODIs by providing opportunities to our consistent performers that will enable us to select the best available players for the two important tournaments,” Afridi stated at a press conference. 

Tayyab was the leading run-scorer in the One Day Cup with 573 runs from 12 at with an average of nearly 48 and a strike rate of around 100 for Central Punjab. Ghulam was the fourth-highest run-getter amassing 435 runs across six innings while averaging 145 at a strike rate of 101.16. Mir has also been rewarded for his performance in the tournament, taking 28 wickets in 11 innings at an economy of 5.38. 

"I'm totally against letting players go abroad to play cricket while the domestic season is ongoing. During the off-season, they should absolutely be allowed to go. We've allowed some players to go to the Bangladesh Premier League, but I've told all the boys they need to be back 10 days before the PSL. It's Pakistan's league and brand, and it needs to be given time,” he explained.