Pakistan drop Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan from T20I squad for New Zealand series; Salman Agha Takes Over as Captain in New Era

Pakistan announced their white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, comprising five T20Is and three ODIs. While the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has not made significant changes to the ODI unit, fresh faces are introduced in the T20I set-up as The Men in Green enter a new era in the format.

Out of the many changes, the biggest has to be the exclusion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20I squad. Rizwan, who was Pakistan’s T20I captain, could lead the side in only five full matches and lost all of them. This was always on the cards since the criticism on Babar And Rizwan’s batting style in T20Is was intensifying with every game. 

Salman Agha has replaced Rizwan as Pakistan’s T20I skipper and will most likely take the team into the next Asia Cup and T20 World Cup. He has been rewarded for his recent exploits in the ODI format. He led Pakistan in the T20I series versus Zimbabwe last year and won 2-1.

All-rounder Shadab Khan not only marks his return but has also been named the vice-captain of the T20I side. He last played a T20I in the 2024 World Cup.

Among other changes, Mohammad Harris also makes a comeback in the T20I fold. Wicket-keeper Hasan Nawaz, power-hitter Abdul Samad and Quetta Gladiators batter Omair Yousuf have also earned their places in the T20I squad on the back of their performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL).

In the bowling department, Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi have been retained, while Naseem Shah’s name is nowhere to be seen.

There are no Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub in either squad as they are recovering from respective injuries.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf Booted from ODIs

While the ODI unit did not have many surprises, Shaheen and Rauf failed to make the cut. The pacers faced the axe because of their poor showings in the Champions Trophy 2025. 

Rizwan will continue to lead the ODI side. Abdullah Shafique, who was dropped from the Champions Trophy 2025 squad, makes a comeback. Left-arm fast-bowler Akif Javed has been given his maiden ODI call-up.

Notably, the T20I series between Pakistan and New Zealand will begin on March 16 in Christchurch. The five T20Is will be followed by a three-match ODI series, starting on March 29 in Napier.

Pakistan last featured in the Champions Trophy and got knocked out of the tournament in the group stage.

Pakistan squads for New Zealand tour:

T20I squad - 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, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan.

ODI squad - 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 Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufyan Moqim and Tayyab Tahir.