Pakistan has officially announced its squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, making several changes following their disappointing performance in the Champions Trophy. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opted for a fresh approach, especially in the T20 setup, introducing new talent and giving players a chance to prove their worth on the international stage.
The ODI squad will continue to be led by Mohammad Rizwan, with Salman Ali Agha as his deputy. However, the axe has fallen on Rizwan in the T20I format, with Salman Ali Agha captaining the team and Shadab Khan serving as vice-captain. Babar Azam also retains his place in the ODI team but Haris Rauf and Saheen Afridi have had to make way while Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman’s absence through injury means Abdullah Shafique and Imam Ul Haq will serve as openers.
The T20 squad, however, features a list of changes. The wholesale changes in the T20 squad reflect the PCB’s intent to rejuvenate the squad and build a team capable of contending at the 2026 T20 World Cup.
| Mohammad Rizwan | Salman Ali Agha | Abdullah Shafique |
|---|---|---|
| Abrar Ahmed | Akif Javed | Babar Azam |
| Faheem Ashraf | Imam-ul-Haq | Khushdil Shah |
| Mohammad Ali | Mohammad Wasim Jr | Muhammad Irfan Khan |
| Naseem Shah | Sufyan Muqeem | Tayyab Tahir |
| Salman Ali Agha | 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 Yousuf | Shaheen Shah Afridi | Sufyan Muqeem |
| Usman Khan |
The changes in both the ODI and T20I squads are part of Pakistan’s strategy to build a competitive team that can perform well in high-pressure situations. The selectors have opted to mix experienced players with emerging talent, ensuring a balanced approach to the tour. This is an important opportunity for Pakistan to bounce back from their disappointing Champions Trophy campaign and make a strong impact in New Zealand.