LAHORE: Pakistan made significant changes to its T20 squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand, leaving former captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan. Salman Ali Agha has been appointed as the new T20 captain, while Shadab Khan will serve as his deputy.
However, Rajan will continue as captain of the One -Day series, where Babar is included. Left pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been removed from the ODI squad.
The restoration of the squad followed the disappointing emission of Pakistan from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where the defending champions were abolished in the group stage.
During a tour of New Zealand, scheduled from March 16 to April 5, it includes a five-match T20 series from March 16-26, followed by a three-match ODI series from March 29 to April 5.
In a statement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) explained that the decision to appoint Salman and Shadab as captain and deputy captain was made with a long-term vision, which in September had two major tournaments-ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 and February 2026 in the ICC Men’s T2026.
Meanwhile, Rizwan will continue to lead the One -Day squad as Pakistan is moving towards the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which will be in Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
The T20I squad includes three extraordinary players Abdul Sad, Hassan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali. In addition, Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali won their places in the ODI squad after impressive performances in domestic tournaments.
During the Champions T20 Cup, Samad scored 115 runs at a strike rate of 166.67, while Hassan Nawaz was the second scorer, he scored 312 runs at a strike rate of 142.47. Mohammad Ali was the biggest part of taking wickets in the tournament with 22 wickets.
Regular openers of Pakistan, Fakhr Zaman and Sam Ayub, were not considered for choice for medical reasons.
Fakhar suffered a left lower intercostal muscle sprain during Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand. Meanwhile, Sam Ayub recovering from the right ankle fracture that remains on the first day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa in January.
The two are expected to re -get the full fitness of the two before the HBL Pakistan Super League 10, which begins on April 11, 2025.
AQIB Javed will continue as an interim head coach for New Zealand’s visit, and will extend his term beyond the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 while the PCB is finalizing the permanent head coach. Former cricketer Mohammad Yousuf has been appointed as a batting coach.
T20 Squad: Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Shadab Khan (vice -captain), Abdul Asad, Abrar Ahmed, Harsov Rauf, Hassan Nawaz, Jeandad Khan, Khazhad Shah, Mohammad Abbasiri, Mohammed Bena, Mohammad Eli, Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Ali
ODI Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (Captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice -captain), Abdullah Shafaq, Abrar Ahmed, Aif Javed, Babar Azam, Fahim Ashraf, Imam al -Haq, Khush, Mohammad Shah, Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Ali, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Ali, Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Ali, Mohammed Ali
The PCB has said that after the T20 series, the wicketkeeper batter will be added to the ODI squad.
Schedule New Zealand Tour
- March 16: First T20I – Higley Oval, Christ Church
- March 18: Second T20I – University Oval, Deniden
- March 21: Third T20I – Eden Park, Auckland
- March 23: Fourth T20I – Bay Owl, Mount Monganoi
- March 26: Fifth T20I – Sky Stadium, Wellington
- March 29: First ODI – MacLean Park, Napier
- April 2: Second ODI – Sedan Park, Hamilton
- April 5: Third ODI – Bay Owl, Mount Monganoi
