Pakistan has reshuffled its squad for the T20I series against New Zealand, dropping Babar Azam and T20I captain Mohammad Rizwan. Salman Agha has been named the new captain, with Shadab Khan returning as vice-captain. Meanwhile, Rizwan will continue to lead the ODI team, which features fewer changes aside from the exclusion of Shaheen Afridi.
Pakistan has made significant changes to its T20I squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand, dropping both T20I captain Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam. In their place, Salman Agha has been appointed captain, with Shadab Khan returning as vice-captain. This decision comes after Pakistan’s disappointing exit from a recent Champions Trophy, leading to a re-evaluation of the team.
The T20I squad features new faces, such as wicketkeeper Hasan Nawaz, who has limited T20 experience, and big-hitter Abdul Samad, following impressive domestic performances. Additionally, Omair Yousuf has received a call-up as Pakistan looks to shift away from the established Babar-Rizwan partnership at the top of the order, which has faced criticism for being overly cautious.
In terms of bowling, the squad retains many members from the recent T20I series against South Africa, with Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi included. However, Naseem Shah has been omitted, and spinners Sufiyaan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed remain in the lineup, while Khushdil Shah has been added.
Rizwan’s brief tenure as T20I captain comes to an end after five matches, all of which were defeats. The next T20I series in New Zealand starts on March 16, followed by three ODIs, where Rizwan retains captaincy despite the significant changes in the T20 format. Babar Azam will also be part of the ODI squad, along with Abdullah Shafique and newcomer Akif Javed.
In summary, Pakistan’s squad for the T20I series in New Zealand reveals a strategic overhaul, emphasizing a shift away from the underperforming duo of Babar Azam and Rizwan. With new captain Salman Agha at the helm and the return of experienced players like Shadab Khan, the team aims to revitalize its performance following the Champions Trophy exit. The ODI squad remains largely stable, retaining key players while dropping Shaheen Afridi, indicating a careful balance between fresh talent and experience.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
