Pakistan has once again reshuffled its T20I squad, dropping both captain Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam for the five-match series against New Zealand. This marks the first squad announcement since Pakistan’s disappointing home Champions Trophy campaign. Salman Agha, Rizwan’s deputy, has been appointed T20I captain, while Shadab Khan returns as vice-captain. Rizwan retains leadership in ODIs, but star pacer Shaheen Afridi has been left out.
According to the PCB, Mohammad Haris makes a comeback, while Saim Ayub remains unavailable due to an ankle injury. The squad features a new face in 22-year-old wicketkeeper Hasan Nawaz, who has played 21 T20s. Hard-hitting batter Abdul Samad, yet to feature in the PSL, earns a spot following an impressive domestic season. Quetta Gladiators’ Omair Yousuf also receives a call-up as Pakistan experiments with fresh talent.
The bowling attack remains largely unchanged from the recent T20I series in South Africa. Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi continue in the squad, while Naseem Shah remains absent. Spinners Sufiyaan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed retain their places, while Khushdil Shah returns.
Rizwan’s T20I captaincy tenure ends after just four completed matches, all losses. Agha previously led Pakistan to a 2-1 win in Zimbabwe when Rizwan was absent. Babar’s omission further indicates Pakistan’s intent to move past the Babar-Rizwan opening pair, a combination that has divided opinion since 2020.
The ODI squad sees fewer changes, with Afridi being the major exclusion despite excelling in recent series against South Africa and Australia. Babar remains in the squad, and Abdullah Shafique returns after missing the Champions Trophy. Left-arm pacer Akif Javed receives his maiden ODI call-up, while Sufiyaan Muqeem also returns.
Pakistan will play five T20Is in New Zealand starting March 16, followed by three ODIs.
Pakistan T20I Squad
Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Agha (capt), Irfan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyaan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan.
Pakistan ODI Squad
Mohammad Rizwan (capt), Salman Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir.
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