Pakistan Appoints New Captain and Announces Squads for New Zealand Tour
Following a disappointing Champions Trophy, Pakistan has named its ODI and T20I squads for the New Zealand tour. Salman Ali Agha steps in as T20I captain, with Mohammad Rizwan leading the ODIs. The selection includes three uncapped players and ongoing coaching changes, as the team prepares for a series of matches in March and April.
Pakistan has officially announced its ODI and T20I squads for the impending tour of New Zealand. Following the team’s poor performance in the Champions Trophy, Salman Ali Agha has been appointed captain for the T20I format, whereas Mohammad Rizwan will continue to lead in the ODI format. Salman will also serve as the vice-captain for the ODI team.
The selectors have rewarded domestic performers, including three uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali in the T20I squad. Meanwhile, Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali have been included in the ODI team, despite openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub being excluded due to medical advice. Fakhar is recovering from an intercostal muscle sprain, and Saim is still recuperating from a fractured ankle sustained during the South Africa tour.
Aqib Javed will act as the interim head coach for the series against New Zealand, while the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is in the process of appointing a permanent head coach, expected to be finalized post-series. Mohammad Yousuf joins the coaching staff as the batting coach for this tour.
The T20I squad features the following players: 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, and Usman Khan. The ODI squad is composed of: 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, and Tayyab Tahir.
The support personnel includes Naveed Akram Cheema (team manager), Aqib Javed (acting head coach), Azhar Mahmood (assistant coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Mohammad Masroor (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saiman (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Butt (analyst), Irtiza Komail (security manager), Dr. Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media and digital manager), and Sergio Basil Mullins (masseur).
The schedule for the New Zealand tour is as follows: The first T20I will take place on March 16 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch; the second T20I on March 18 at University Oval, Dunedin; the third T20I on March 21 at Eden Park, Auckland; the fourth T20I on March 23 at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui; and the fifth T20I on March 26 at Sky Stadium, Wellington. The ODI matches will begin on March 29 at McLean Park, Napier, followed by the second ODI on April 2 at Seddon Park, Hamilton, and concluding with the third ODI on April 5 at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.
In summary, Pakistan has appointed Salman Ali Agha as the captain for the T20I squad and retained Mohammad Rizwan for the ODIs following a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign. The inclusion of three uncapped players in the T20I side signifies a commitment to rewarding domestic excellence. The team will venture to New Zealand, with the coaching staff undergoing changes, aiming to improve their performance in upcoming matches.
Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com
