Pakistan’s cricket team has excluded captain Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam from the T20 squad for the series against New Zealand starting March 16. Salman Ali Agha will lead the team, aiming for a more aggressive playstyle. The ODI series will see Rizwan and Azam return, amidst significant changes following Pakistan’s subpar performance in the Champions Trophy.
Pakistan’s cricket team has announced significant changes for the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand, with captain Mohammad Rizwan and star batsman Babar Azam dropped from the squad. The five-match series begins on March 16, during which Salman Ali Agha will serve as captain, with all-rounder Shadab Khan appointed as vice-captain. Agha previously led the team to a T20 series victory against Zimbabwe.
Despite Rizwan retaining captaincy for the ODIs against New Zealand starting March 29, major adjustments have been made to the ODI lineup due to Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the Champions Trophy, where the team failed to progress past the group stage, finishing fourth after a washed-out match against Bangladesh.
The selected T20 squad includes fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who have been excluded from the ODI team. Additionally, opening batsmen Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel have been dropped, while Abdullah Shafique has been recalled after being omitted for the Champions Trophy following three consecutive ducks in South Africa.
Aaqib Javed, the interim head coach, emphasized the need for a fearless and aggressive approach in T20 matches, noting that modern cricket sees teams frequently scoring over 200 runs. To adapt, they require batsmen who can exploit the early overs effectively. Javed’s coaching contract extends beyond the Champions Trophy as the Pakistan Cricket Board seeks a permanent head coach.
Three uncapped players have been included in the squad: Abdul Samad, who performed well in the domestic T20 Champions Cup, Hasan Nawaz, who was the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament, and Mohammad Ali, the leading wicket-taker. The finalized T20 squad consists of versatile players aimed at enhancing the team’s competitive edge going forward.
Pakistan’s cricket selectors have made substantial changes to their T20 lineup ahead of the series against New Zealand, opting to drop key players Rizwan and Azam in favor of domestic talents. This decision is part of a broader strategy to revitalize team performance following a lackluster showing in the Champions Trophy. With a young, dynamic squad, the team aims to approach T20 matches with aggressive intent, backed by an experienced interim coaching staff.
Original Source: apnews.com
