The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir extended an invite to the Pakistan cricket team players for an iftar dinner at the Army House in Rawalpindi on Monday.

Mohsin Naqvi, the Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), was also in attendance at the gathering. The players had previously trained at the Army School of Physical Training (ASPT) camp in Kakul, Abbottabad, in preparation for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand.

In a press release by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), it was stated, “General Syed Asim Munir hosted an Iftar Dinner for Pakistan Cricket Team at Army House Rawalpindi. Pakistan Cricket Team underwent and concluded physical training at the Army School of Physical Training (ASPT) camp in Kakul, Abbottabad.”

The press release further mentioned, “Chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Mohsin Naqvi along with PCB officials also attended the Iftar. The cricketers thanked COAS for the excellent training extended provided to them at Kakul and the role the Army plays in supporting the games in Pakistan.”

Moreover, Wahab Riaz has been appointed as the senior team manager, while Mohammad Yousuf will serve as the batting coach. Saeed Ajmal will continue in his role as the spin bowling coach after previously coaching on tours to Australia and New Zealand.

The national selection committee is set to unveil the squad for the series against New Zealand in a press conference on Tuesday, according to sources.

Expected members of the squad include Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Irfan Khan Niazi, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Zaman Khan.

Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Wasim Jr, and Abbas Afridi are also anticipated to be part of the 18-member contingent.

Either Abrar Ahmed or Usama Mir will likely secure a spot in the squad for the series as well.