Pakistan wrist-spinner Shadab Khan will be captaining his country in the first of three T20Is against New Zealand after the tourists confirmed their 15-man squad for the series opener in Auckland on Friday (December 18). 

Shadab, the designated vice-captain, will step-up and lead the side in absence of regular skipper Babar Azam, who fractured his thumb while preparing in the build-up to the series. 

Read Also: Babar Azam's ouster from T20Is a "major setback" for Pakistan, says Waqar Younis

The 22-year-old has played 43 T20Is for Pakistan with 53 wickets and an economy rate of 7.22. He is also an improved batsman in recent times. 

Apart from Babar, most of the Pakistan squad is the same which whitewashed Zimbabwe 3-0 in a home series in Rawalpindi last month. 

Shadab said it's an honour for him to lead the nation on such a big tour but did also admit Pakistan will feel the absence of their batting mainstay in Babar. 

"His absence in the side will be surely felt," he was quoted as saying by samaa.tv. "However, it will provide an opportunity for new players to step up and showcase their talent."

Hamilton and Napier will host the last two T20Is on December 20th and 22nd in a series which helps both teams with their preparations towards the next year's World Cup in India. 

Pakistan squad 1st T20I: 

Shadab Khan (c), Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Wahab Riaz.