Babar, Rizwan excluded from T20I squad for New Zealand series

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Pakistan has left Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20 squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand, and Salman Ali Aga has been appointed captain for the shortest form.

However, Rajwan will continue as captain of the One -Day series, Babar will also be included in the squad, while Shaheen Shah Afridi has been released from 50 overs format.

The biggest shuffle came after Pakistan’s disappointing Champions Trophy campaign, which saw the defending champion ending during the tournament’s group phase.

New Zealand’s visit will continue from March 16 to April 5, with the T20 series scheduled on March 16-26 and the one-day series will be scheduled from March 29 to April 5.

In a statement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has said that the decision to appoint Salman and Shadab as the T20 captain and vice -captain respectively has been looked at the two major incoming tournament.

These incidents include ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 (September 2025) and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (February/March 2026). Earlier, Salman led Pakistan in the T20 series against Zimbabwe last year, which won 2-1.

The PCB said that Rizwan will continue to guide the ODI as Pakistan is moving towards the 50 overs of the ICC men’s 50 overs World Cup 2027, which will take place in Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe in November 2027.

Unused player

In the Twenty20 squad, there are three unprecedented players – Abdul Sadd, Hassan Nawaz and Mohammad Ali. While Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali are the two players who have not yet debuted in ODIs.

All four players have been rewarded for their impressive performances in Champions ODIs and T20 Cups.

Samad scored 115 runs at the Champions T20 Cup, scoring 145 runs at the Champions One Day Cup at a 122.88 strike rate, Samad scored 115 runs at a strike rate of 166.67.

Similarly, Nawaz had the stallor Champions T20 Cup, which ended as the second leading run gutter with 312 runs at a strike rate of 142.47. Ali was the biggest part of taking wickets in the Champions T20 Cup with 22 wickets, while he took three wickets in the Champions One Day Cup.

After seven wickets in the five Champions One Day Cup matches, AKIF has been selected for the ODI side, while it took 15 wickets in the Champions T20 Cup.

Fakhr Zaman, what about Sam Job?

Openers Fakhr Zaman and Sam Ayub were not considered for any form on medical advice.

Fakhar suffered from left lower intercostal muscle sprains during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand, while the CAM is recovering from the right ankle fracture that remains on the first day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa in January.

It is expected that the two will be fully fit for the HBL Pakistan Super League 10, starting in Rawalpindi on April 11, 2025.

New batting coach

AQIB Javed will continue to visit New Zealand as interim head coach.

Their original term was until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but they have been asked to extend their era while searching for a permanent head coach.

Mohammad Yousuf has been appointed batting coach.

Squads

T20I: Salman Ali Agha (C), Shadab Khan (VC), Abdul Sadd, Abrar Ahmed, Harsh Rauf, Hassan Nawaz, Jeandad Khan, Khushadhal Shah, Mohammad Abbas alias, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Arifan, Mohammad Arfan Khan, Mohammad Arfan Khan,

ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha (VC), Abdullah Shafik, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Fahim Ashraf, Imam Al -Wahok, Khush, Mohammad Ali Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim General, Mohammad Arfan Khan Tahir.

After the T20, the wicketkeeper/batsman will be added to the ODI squad.