Lahore (Web Desk): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced squad for upcoming tour of New Zealand.
According to the board, Salman Ali Agha has been appointed as the captain of the men’s T20 International (T20I) squad for their upcoming tour of New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan will retain his role as the captain of the One Day International (ODI) team.
The decision to appoint Salman as the T20I leader comes as the PCB looks to inject fresh energy into the team, aiming for a more aggressive and modern approach in T20 cricket.
The exclusion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20I squad has raised eyebrows, with many questioning the logic behind leaving out two of Pakistan’s most dependable players.
The move seems to reflect a desire to embrace new talent and change the playing style.
With an eye on the future, the PCB is preparing for major upcoming tournaments, including the 2025 T20 Asia Cup and the 2026 T20 World Cup. The squad for this series is youthful, with an emphasis on fearless, high-risk cricket, a strategy that Salman hopes will be key to success moving forward.
Shadab Khan returns to the T20I squad, this time as vice-captain, after a period of absence from the T20 team. His inclusion comes after a solid stint in the longer formats, where he has worked on his bowling to regain the accuracy required for the international level.
The selection committee, led by interim head coach Aqib Javed, has opted to bring in a mix of experience and fresh faces, with three uncapped players — Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali — earning spots following strong performances in domestic cricket.
On the ODI side, the squad largely mirrors expectations, though Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf have been left out.
Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, both key players, were sidelined due to injury concerns but are expected to recover in time for the Pakistan Super League.
The team will also be bolstered by new talents like Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali, with a focus on long-term planning as they prepare for international competition.
The PCB’s reshuffling comes after a disappointing ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where Pakistan suffered early exits at the hands of India and New Zealand, alongside a washed-out match against Bangladesh.
Squads
T20I: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousaf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem and Usman Khan
ODI: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem and Tayyab Tahir.
A wicketkeeper/batter will be added to the ODI squad following the T20Is
New Zealand tour schedule
* Mar 16 – first T20I, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
* Mar 18 – second T20I, University Oval, Dunedin
* Mar 21 – third T20I, Eden Park, Auckland
* Mar 23 – fourth T20I, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
* Mar 26 – fifth T20I, Sky Stadium, Wellington
* Mar 29 – first ODI, McLean Park, Napier
* April 2 – second ODI, Seddon Park, Hamilton
* April 5 – third ODI, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
