Pakistan have named Salman Agha as their captain for the New Zealand T20Is, also dropping Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the format.
Mohammed Rizwan took over from Babar Azam as the ODI and T20I captain in October last year but has now been replaced from the shortest format. Pakistan have made sweeping changes to their T20 setup ahead of the five-match series against New Zealand, with Rizwan and Babar Azam both dropped. The move comes in the wake of Pakistan's disappointing Champions Trophy campaign at home.
Agha has been appointed as the new T20I captain, taking over from Rizwan, who endured a tough run as skipper, losing all four T20Is under his leadership. Despite this demotion in the shortest format, Rizwan continues as the ODI captain, while Shaheen Afridi has been omitted from the 50-over squad, a surprising decision given his recent performances in South Africa and Australia, where he picked up 15 wickets across the series in six games at an average of 17.60.
Agha, who has played just six games, making 50 runs at a strike rate of 79.36, has led in four T20Is - one against Australia and three in Zimbabwe.
Shadab returns for T20Is, Babar-Rizwan dropped
Among the inclusions in the T20I team, Shadab Khan makes a return and has been named vice-captain for the T20Is. The squad also welcomes Mohammad Haris, who comes back after a lengthy absence, while Saim Ayub remains sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained in South Africa.
Pakistan’s selectors have opted for fresh faces in the batting lineup, with wicketkeeper Hasan Nawaz, who has played just 21 T20s and is yet to feature in the PSL, earning a call-up. Big-hitting batter Abdul Samad, who is also yet to play in the PSL, also makes the squad following an impressive domestic T20 campaign, while Omair Yousuf of Quetta Gladiators has been picked too.
The bowling attack remains largely unchanged from the recent T20I series in South Africa. While Naseem Shah has not been picked, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf hold their places. Spin options include Sufiyaan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed, both of whom have retained their spots, while Khushdil Shah has been drafted in.
Babar and Rizwan’s exclusion from the T20 squad suggests Pakistan have decided to move on from the duo, whose strike rates have divided opinion in the recent past. With a year to go for the 2026 T20 World Cup, it appears Pakistan cricket has decided to move forward without the mainstays.
Shaheen misses out in ODIs
Unlike the drastic changes in T20Is, the ODI squad sees fewer alterations apart from Shaheen’s omission. Abdullah Shafique returns after missing out on the Champions Trophy, while left-arm pacer Akif Javed earns his maiden ODI call-up. Sufiyaan Muqeem also makes a comeback.
Fakhar Zaman, who was ruled out of the Champions Trophy, was not considered for selection along with Ayub due to their respective injuries.
Pakistan will face New Zealand in five T20Is starting March 16, followed by a three-match ODI series.
Pakistan T20I squad: Hassan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (capt), Irfan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyaan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Khan
Pakistan ODI squad: Mohammad Rizwan (capt), Salman Ali 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, Tayyab Tahir.
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