Pakistan has decided to omit key players Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam from the T20 team for the forthcoming five-match series against New Zealand, commencing on March 16. Demonstrating an appreciation for top performers in domestic circuits, the selection panel has opted for Salman Ali Agha to captain the side, with all-rounder Shadab Khan serving as vice-captain. Salman successfully directed Pakistan to a T20 series victory over Zimbabwe last year with a 2-1 scoreline.
Rizwan maintains his role as captain for the three One Day Internationals (ODIs) against New Zealand starting March 29, with Babar also featuring in the squad. The selectors have made noteworthy adjustments to the ODI lineup following Pakistan’s untimely departure from the Champions Trophy, after losses to New Zealand and India, and ending fourth in its group due to a rain-affected match against Bangladesh.
Fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi, included in the T20 squad, have been excluded from the ODIs. Additionally, top-order batsmen Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel will not feature, but opener Abdullah Shafique makes his return, having been overlooked for the Champions Trophy due to a streak of three consecutive zero scores in South Africa.
Injuries have sidelined openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, meaning neither will participate in the white-ball matches against New Zealand. “We need to embrace a fearless and aggressive approach in T20 cricket, hence the inclusion of new talent,” interim head coach Aaqib Javed mentioned during a media briefing on Tuesday. He emphasized the contemporary T20 trend of surpassing 200 runs, requiring batters to capitalize on the initial six overs of powerplay to hit big.
Though Javed’s coaching tenure was originally set to conclude after the Champions Trophy, his contract has been extended as the Pakistan Cricket Board continues its search for a permanent head coach. The T20 team welcomes three newcomers: batters Abdul Samad and Hasan Nawaz, along with fast bowler Mohammad Ali.
Samad impressed with a strike rate of 166.67, accumulating 115 runs in the domestic T20 Champions Cup, whereas Nawaz emerged as the second-highest run-scorer in the competition with 312 runs. Ali, a right-arm fast bowler specializing in tests, led the tournament’s bowling tally with 22 wickets.
The announced T20 squad comprises: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Irfan Khan, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Omair Bin Yousaf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Usman Khan.
The ODI team is made up of: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Tayyab Tahir.
