Pakistan Appoints Salman Agha as New T20I Captain; Major Squad Changes Announced
Salman Agha has been named the new captain of the Pakistan T20I team as they gear up to face New Zealand, replacing Mohammad Rizwan, who remains the ODI captain. Significant changes include the removal of Babar Azam and Rizwan from the T20I squad. Shadab Khan returns as vice-captain, along with new players Hasan Nawaz and Abdul Samad. The ODI team sees minimal changes, with only Shaheen Afridi omitted.
Salman Agha has been appointed as the new captain of the Pakistan cricket team for T20 internationals, taking charge for the upcoming series against New Zealand. This decision follows the team’s disappointing performance in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy on home soil. Agha replaces Mohammad Rizwan, who led Pakistan in four T20Is, all of which resulted in losses; however, Rizwan will continue as the captain of the ODI team.
The Pakistan selectors have implemented significant changes to the T20I lineup, notably removing experienced players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. This strategic shift highlights the team’s preparations for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. Contrastingly, the ODI squad remains largely intact, with the exception of Shaheen Afridi, who has been dropped.
Shadab Khan returns to the T20I squad as vice-captain, marking his reintegration into the team along with Mohammad Haris, who also makes a comeback after a lengthy absence. Saim Ayub, however, is sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained in South Africa. New players in the batting order include wicket-keeper Hasan Nawaz and explosive batsman Abdul Samad.
The bowling lineup for the T20I series against New Zealand shows minimal alterations compared to the previous series in South Africa. Senior bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf retain their spots, with Sufiyaan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed joining the mix. Khushdil Shah has been included in the squad, while Naseem Shah has been omitted. Pakistan is set to compete against New Zealand in five T20I matches, followed by a three-match ODI series.
In summary, Pakistan cricket has made considerable adjustments to its T20I squad by appointing Salman Agha as captain and removing notable players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the team. Despite their impressive T20I records, their lack of strike-rate efficiency prompted this strategic overhaul. The upcoming series against New Zealand represents a crucial opportunity for the newly composed squad to demonstrate their capabilities ahead of the next T20 World Cup.
Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com
