Pakistan on Sunday (December 6) confirmed an 18-man T20I squad for the forthcoming series against New Zealand, starting December 18 in Auckland. 

Only two changes have been made to the side that whitewashed Zimbabwe 3-0 at home recently, with the selectors deciding to recall Hussain Talat and Sarfaraz Ahmed. 

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"The squad was finalised by head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and captain Babar Azam in consultation with Pakistan Shaheens ('A' team) coach Ijaz Ahmed, who also locked his 16-player squad for the four-day match against New Zealand ‘A’ to be played in Whangarei from 17 December," stated a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) media release. 

"Both Pakistan and Pakistan Shaheens squads are scheduled to depart for Queenstown on Tuesday, 8 December, after completing their 14-day isolation period in Christchurch. In Queenstown, both the sides will stay in different hotels and train at different times and according to their match requirements."

"On 14 December, Shaheens will travel to Whangarei, while Pakistan will head to Auckland on 15 December for the opening match of the three-match series."

Hussain, the all-rounder, has returned to the Pakistan side after replacing Pakistan A's Zafar Gohar. He has played 1 ODI and 14 T20Is for the country, with the last of those dating back February 2019. 

Former skipper Sarfaraz, on other hand, was given time off from the Zimbabwe series to take part in the early rounds of the first-class season but is now reincluded in an extended touring party. 

The second and the third T20Is will be played in Hamilton and Napier on December 20th & 22nd, respectively.