Pakistan’s cricket board has shaken up its Pakistan T20I squad, sidelining Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan for the upcoming New Zealand series starting March 16, 2025.
Salman Ali Agha steps up as T20I captain, Shadab Khan as vice-captain, and Rizwan retains the ODI helm alongside Babar. Shaheen Shah Afridi, however, misses out on the 50-over lineup.
The overhaul follows Pakistan’s lackluster Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, where the defending champs crashed in the group stage. The New Zealand tour, spanning March 16 to April 5, features five T20Is (March 16-26) and three ODIs (March 29-April 5).
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) eyes this reset to prep for the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Salman, who led Pakistan to a 2-1 T20I series win over Zimbabwe last year, takes the reins.
🚨 Pakistan announce ODI and T20I squads for New Zealand tour 🚨@SalmanAliAgha1 appointed 🇵🇰 T20I captain 🌟#NZvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/c8WWG6WDti
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 4, 2025The Pakistan T20I squad welcomes uncapped stars Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali, rewarded for standout performances in the Champions T20 and One-Day Cups. Samad smashed 115 runs at a 166.67 strike rate in T20s, Nawaz racked up 312 runs at 142.47, and Ali topped the wicket charts with 22 scalps. For ODIs, Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali—yet to debut—join after strong domestic showings, with Akif grabbing seven wickets in five one-day matches.
Fakhar and Saim Injury Updates
Fakhar Zaman (intercostal sprain) and Saim Ayub (ankle fracture) miss both formats on medical advice. Both injuries stem from recent matches, but they’ll likely return for the HBL Pakistan Super League 10 in April 2025.
Read: Indian Cricket Legends Defend Babar Azam Amid Criticism
Aqib Javed extends his interim head coach role beyond the Champions Trophy, with Mohammad Yousuf stepping in as batting coach. The PCB hunts for a permanent head coach. Squads:
Pakistan 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
Pakistan 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 (wicketkeeper TBD post-T20Is)
