The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday unveiled the men’s squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, bringing significant changes to the T20 International (T20I) team. Salman Ali Agha has been appointed as the T20I captain, while Mohammad Rizwan will continue to lead the One Day International (ODI) side.
A major talking point in the announcement was the exclusion of star batsman Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan from the T20 squad. Pakistan is set to play five T20s and three ODIs during the tour, which comes at a crucial time following the team’s early exit from the ongoing ICC Champions Trophy 2025.
Changes Amidst Champions Trophy Criticism
Pakistan’s disappointing campaign in the Champions Trophy, which saw them suffer defeats against India and New Zealand and a washed-out game against Bangladesh, has led to increased calls for reforms within the PCB. In response, the board has opted to inject fresh talent into the squad with a focus on modern, aggressive cricket.
“The decision to appoint Salman and Shadab as T20I captain and vice-captain, respectively, has been made with an eye on two major upcoming tournaments — the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 (September 2025) and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (February/March 2026),” the PCB said in its official statement.
Salman Ali Agha previously captained Pakistan in a T20 series against Zimbabwe last year, securing a 2-1 series victory. Meanwhile, experienced leg-spinner Shadab Khan makes a comeback to the T20 side as Salman’s deputy.
Coaching Staff and Selection Strategy
Interim head coach and chief selector Aqib Javed will continue his role for the New Zealand tour, while former batting great Mohammad Yousuf will be joining as the batting coach.
At a press conference in Lahore, T20 captain Salman Agha emphasized the need to transition towards an aggressive, fearless style of cricket.
“We have tried to include youngsters who are playing the brand of cricket in domestic tournaments that we want to see in international matches. The focus is on improving intent and approach according to modern-day requirements. This is a young team, and we will try to play fearless and high-risk cricket,” he stated.
Aqib Javed acknowledged Pakistan’s struggle in finding quality all-rounders and explained the reasoning behind Shadab Khan’s recall.
“When Shadab was dropped, he was asked to bowl longer spells in domestic red-ball cricket, which he did. I believe that his accuracy has improved as a result,” he said.
Babar and Rizwan’s Future Uncertain
Addressing the high-profile omissions of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20 squad, Aqib Javed clarified that their exclusion does not necessarily mean they are out of future plans.
“You cannot say at any point that they will not be in future plans. However, at this moment, we believe in bringing in young players and changing the style of play,” he explained.
With a young squad and a new leadership combination, Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand will be a crucial test of their revamped strategy as they prepare for upcoming global tournaments.
