Pakistan Cricket Team Revamps Squad for New Zealand Tour: Key Player Changes
Pakistan has made notable changes ahead of their New Zealand tour, dropping Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20I squad while appointing Salman Agha as the new captain. Shadab Khan returns as vice-captain, and several young players join the team. Rizwan continues as ODI captain but will be without Shaheen Afridi for those matches. The T20I series commences on March 16, followed by three ODIs.
In a significant reshuffle, the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the omission of captain Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam from the T20I squad for the upcoming five-match series against New Zealand. This decision follows Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the recent Champions Trophy. Salman Agha has been appointed as the new T20I captain, with Shadab Khan named as the vice-captain, marking his return to the side. Notably, Rizwan continues as captain for the ODI format despite the exclusion of Shaheen Afridi.
The squad features several newcomers and changes, including provisional player Mohammad Haris, who returns after a lengthy absence from the national team. Saim Ayub remains sidelined due to an ankle injury, while rookie wicketkeeper Hasan Nawaz joins the squad following limited T20 experience and successful domestic performances from batter Abdul Samad. Pakistan is shifting its focus away from veteran players in T20Is, which may indicate a desire for a fresh strategic approach.
The bowling lineup sees fewer alterations, maintaining a structure similar to that of the recent series in South Africa. While the experienced Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf are included, Naseem Shah is not part of the squad. Spinners Sufiyaan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed retain their positions, whereas Khushdil Shah has also received a call-up. This decision signals an end to Rizwan’s challenging stint as a T20I captain, having lost all five matches he led.
Babar’s exclusion highlights an ongoing effort by Pakistan to reassess the combination of their top-order batting partnership. The duo of Babar and Rizwan has faced criticism for being overly cautious in T20 formats since their collaboration began. Despite mixed reviews, their previous reliability has led Pakistan to repeatedly rely on them amid concerns regarding a struggling middle order. In contrast, the ODI squad remains more stable, with Rizwan retaining captaincy alongside Babar Azam, while Abdullah Shafique returns after a recent absence from the Champions Trophy.
The T20I series in New Zealand begins on March 16, set to be followed by three ODIs. The complete T20I and ODI squads have been announced, reflecting a blend of youth and experience among the players, with an emphasis on fostering new talent and strategies.
Pakistan T20I squad includes: Hasan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Agha (captain), Irfan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyaan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, and Usman Khan.
Pakistan ODI squad consists of: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Tayyab Tahir.
In conclusion, the Pakistan cricket team is undergoing significant changes ahead of their series in New Zealand, particularly with the exclusion of key players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20I squad. The appointments of Salman Agha and Shadab Khan indicate a strategic shift aimed at revitalizing the team’s performance in T20 matches. Pakistan hopes to blend emerging talent with existing players as they prepare for the upcoming T20I and ODI series.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
