New Zealand had pulled out of the Pakistan tour just before the start of the first ODI in 2021 citing a security threat. In lieu, they will be playing extra games on this tour. This is the second time they are touring Pakistan in the space of five months. Across last December and January, they played two Tests that ended 0-0, followed by a three-match ODI series that New Zealand won 2-1.

Pakistan have named full-strength squads for both the ODI and T20I series. Regular captain Babar Azam makes a comeback, along with the leader of the Pakistan bowling attack Shaheen Shah Afridi. Other senior players like Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, and Haris Rauf are also back following the rest they were given in the three-match T20I series against Afghanistan which concluded recently.

New Zealand, meanwhile, have been forced to name a severely depleted squad with most of their first-choice players occupied in the IPL. Tom Latham, who last played T20Is in 2021, will return to lead them in both formats.

New Zealand will be banking on the experience they gained in their ODI series victory earlier this year in Pakistan, and will be enhanced by the inputs the inputs of Saqlain Mushtaq, head coach of the Pakistan side until two months back. Saqlain has joined the New Zealand camp as an assistant coach.

PAK v NZ, 2023 T20I squad: Full team list and team news for Pakistan v New Zealand T20Is

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zaman Khan

New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Mark Chapman, Matt Henry, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Will Young, Chad Bowes, Dane Cleaver, Ben Lister, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Henry Shipley, Blair Tickner

PAK v NZ, 2023 ODI squad: Full team list and team news for Pakistan v New Zealand ODIs

Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haris Sohail, Ihsanullah, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usama Mir

New Zealand: Tom Latham (c), Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell, Cole McConchie, Daryl Mitchell, Rachin Ravindra, Ish Sodhi, Will Young, Chad Bowes, Ben Lister, Adam Milne, James Neesham, Henry Shipley, Blair Tickner