Pakistan, after a poor showing in the Champions Trophy 2025, is set to face New Zealand in five T20Is and three ODIs. Captained by Salman Ali Agha, the young squad includes uncapped players and aims to build momentum for future tournaments. The series will take place from March 16 to April 5, featuring multiple matches across various locations in New Zealand.
After a disappointing performance in the Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan is preparing for a white-ball series against New Zealand that includes five T20 International (T20I) matches and three One-Day Internationals (ODIs). With the T20 World Cup approaching next year and the Asia Cup this year, Pakistan has announced a young squad under newly appointed captain Salman Ali Agha.
Due to injuries, Pakistan will be without key players Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman. However, the team has welcomed three uncapped players – Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali – who have demonstrated impressive performances in domestic competitions. Agha commented on the squad development, noting the significance of this opportunity for young players to prove themselves on an international stage.
Salman Agha, who recently led Pakistan to a 2-1 victory in his first series against Zimbabwe, expressed his optimism for the upcoming tour. “The team’s preparations are going well, and we will try to produce better results in New Zealand,” he stated. Pakistan has a historical edge in T20I matches against New Zealand, winning 23 out of 44 encounters, including their last series, which ended in a tie.
The complete T20I squad for Pakistan consists of Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan, 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. In contrast, the ODI squad is led by Mohammad Rizwan and includes notable players such as Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq.
The schedule for the New Zealand series is as follows: 1st T20I on March 16 in Christchurch, 2nd T20I on March 18 in Dunedin, 3rd T20I on March 21 in Auckland, 4th T20I on March 23 in Mount Maunganui, 5th T20I on March 26 in Wellington, 1st ODI on March 29 in Napier, 2nd ODI on April 2 in Hamilton, and 3rd ODI on April 5 in Mount Maunganui.
Pakistan’s preparation for the T20I and ODI series against New Zealand reflects a shift towards nurturing young talent under the leadership of Salman Ali Agha. With a mix of established players and fresh faces, they aim to improve on their recent performances and build momentum ahead of upcoming international tournaments. The squad’s composition and strategic focus on showcasing emerging players highlight Pakistan’s commitment to fostering new cricketing talent.
Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com
