Pakistan has revealed its squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, with notable exclusions in the T20I format as both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been left out.
During a press conference at Gaddafi Stadium, interim head coach Aqib Javed confirmed that Mohammad Rizwan has also been removed as captain of the T20I squad.
In a major leadership shift, Salman Ali Agha has been appointed as the new T20I captain, with Shadab Khan serving as vice-captain. The five-match T20I series is set to take place from March 16 to March 26. Meanwhile, Rizwan will continue to lead the ODI squad, with Salman Ali Agha as his deputy for the three ODIs scheduled between March 29 and April 5.
This leadership transition is aimed at preparing the team for the upcoming ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Salman previously captained Pakistan to a 2-1 T20I series victory against Zimbabwe last year.
New Zealand Tour Schedule
- March 16 – First T20I, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
- March 18 – Second T20I, University Oval, Dunedin
- March 21 – Third T20I, Eden Park, Auckland
- March 23 – Fourth T20I, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
- March 26 – Fifth T20I, Sky Stadium, Wellington
- March 29 – First ODI, McLean Park, Napier
- April 2 – Second ODI, Seddon Park, Hamilton
- April 5 – Third ODI, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand will be a crucial test for the team as they prepare for upcoming international tournaments, with a new leadership structure and emerging talent aiming to make an impact on the global stage.
New Faces in the Squad
The T20I squad features three uncapped players – Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali – while Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali are yet to make their ODI debuts. These players earned selection based on their stellar performances in domestic tournaments, the Champions One-Day and T20 Cups.
Abdul Samad impressed in the Champions T20 Cup with 115 runs at a strike rate of 166.67, following his 145-run tally at a 122.88 strike rate in the Champions One-Day Cup. Similarly, Hasan Nawaz had an outstanding run in the Champions T20 Cup, finishing as the second-highest run-scorer with 312 runs at a strike rate of 142.47.
Mohammad Ali emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the Champions T20 Cup with 22 wickets and also claimed three wickets in the Champions One-Day Cup. Akif Javed earned his ODI selection after securing seven wickets in five Champions One-Day Cup matches and taking 15 wickets in the Champions T20 Cup.
Injury Updates
Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were not considered for selection due to injuries. Fakhar suffered a muscle strain during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener, while Saim Ayub is in the process of recovering from an ankle fracture. Both players are expected to make a comeback in the PSL 10, set to take place in April.
Coaching Setup
Aqib Javed will continue as interim head coach beyond the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continues its search for a permanent head coach. Former cricketer Mohammad Yousuf has been appointed as the batting coach.
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, Tayyab Tahir. A wicketkeeper-batter will be added to the ODI squad after the conclusion of the T20I series.
