Lahore, March 4, 2025: Pakistan has made significant changes to its T20I squad for the upcoming New Zealand series, dropping star players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. Salman Ali Agha has been named the new T20I captain, with Shadab Khan as his deputy.
However, Rizwan will continue to lead the ODI side, with Babar included in the squad. Meanwhile, Shaheen Shah Afridi has been left out of the 50-over format.
The squad shake-up follows Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where the defending champions were eliminated in the group stage.
The tour will take place from March 16 to April 5, 2025, with five T20Is scheduled between March 16-26 and three ODIs from March 29-April 5.
In a statement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) explained that the decision to appoint Salman Ali Agha as T20I captain aligns with long-term preparations for two major tournaments including ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Salman previously captained Pakistan in a 2-1 T20I series win against Zimbabwe last year.
Meanwhile, Rizwan will remain the ODI captain as the team builds towards the ICC Men’s 50-over Cricket World Cup 2027, set to be hosted in Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe in October-November 2027.
The T20I squad features three uncapped players including Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Ali. Additionally, Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali are yet to debut in ODIs.
Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were not considered for selection due to injuries.
Both players are expected to return for the HBL Pakistan Super League 10, which begins on April 11, 2025, in Rawalpindi.
Meanwhile, Aqib Javed will continue as interim head coach for the New Zealand tour. His tenure was initially set to end after the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 but has been extended while PCB searches for a permanent head coach while Mohammad Yousuf has been appointed batting coach.
Squads for New Zealand Tour
T20I Squad
Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim.
ODI Squad
Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir.
