In a significant shake-up, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the men’s squad for their upcoming tour of New Zealand, with Salman Ali Agha taking over as captain of the T20 International (T20I) team. This decision sees prominent players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan excluded from the T20 lineup. Rizwan, however, will continue in his role as captain for the One Day International (ODI) team.
The announcement comes in the wake of Pakistan’s disappointing performance at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where the team failed to progress past the group stages. Losses to India and New Zealand, coupled with a rain-affected match against Bangladesh, have prompted calls for a revamp within the PCB.
In a statement, the PCB explained that the decision to appoint Salman as T20I captain, with Shadab Khan as vice-captain, is part of a strategic plan targeting the upcoming ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Salman previously led Pakistan to a 2-1 victory in a T20 series against Zimbabwe last year.
Interim head coach Aqib Javed will maintain his role for the New Zealand tour, with Mohammad Yousuf joining as the batting coach. During a press conference in Lahore, Salman emphasized the focus on nurturing young talent and adopting a modern approach to the game. “We are aiming to play fearless and high-risk cricket,” he stated.
Shadab Khan’s return as vice-captain marks a notable inclusion in the T20 squad. Aqib Javed highlighted the challenges faced by the selection committee, particularly in finding all-rounders, and praised Shadab’s development in domestic cricket.
Addressing the exclusion of Babar Azam and Rizwan, Javed noted that while they remain in consideration for future plans, the current focus is on integrating new talent and evolving the team’s playing style. “We are building a pool of 24 to 25 players for upcoming tournaments,” he added.
The T20 squad for the New Zealand tour features three uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali, who have been recognized for their domestic performances. Notably absent from both squads are Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub due to injuries, along with fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf from the ODI squad.
As Pakistan prepares for the tour, the PCB’s strategic changes reflect a commitment to revitalizing the national team and addressing the challenges that have hindered recent performances on the international stage.
