Pakistan has made significant changes to its T20 squad ahead of the five-match series in New Zealand, dropping captain Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. Salman Agha replaces Rizwan as captain, and Shadab Khan returns as vice-captain. The T20 squad includes newcomers like 22-year-old Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad, while experienced bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf remain. This shift aims to address criticism of the Rizwan-Babar opening partnership. The ODI squad sees fewer changes, with Rizwan retaining captaincy and Babar included, while Shaheen is omitted. The series starts on March 16.
There are minimal alterations in the bowling lineup, maintaining a similar composition to the recent T20I series against South Africa. Naseem Shah, who last played T20Is against Australia in November, remains out, while Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf are included in the squad. Spinners Sufiyaan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed keep their spots, with Khushdil Shah coming into the side.
This concludes Rizwan’s short and unsatisfactory tenure as T20I captain, having led Pakistan in just five completed T20Is, all of which were defeats. He missed the three T20Is in Zimbabwe, where Agha captained the team to a 2-1 series victory.
The absence of Babar also indicates that Pakistan is attempting to move away from the established Babar-Rizwan partnership at the top of the batting order. Since their formation in 2020, the duo has polarized opinions; while critics accuse them of playing too conservatively at the start of innings, their consistency in run accumulation often reassures Pakistan, especially given the struggles of the middle order.
Changes to the ODI squad are not as extensive, apart from Shaheen’s exclusion. He was Pakistan’s standout bowler during ODI series victories in South Africa and Australia. Rizwan retains the ODI captaincy, Babar is included in the squad, and Abdullah Shafique returns after being dropped for the Champions Trophy. Left-arm fast bowler Akif Javed receives his first ODI call-up, alongside the return of Sufiyaan Muqeem.
Pakistan will face New Zealand in five T20Is starting on March 16, followed by three ODIs.
Pakistan T20I squad: Hassan 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.