Pakistan has announced its ODI and T20I squads for the New Zealand tour, appointing Salman Ali Agha as T20I captain after the Champions Trophy disappointment. Mohammad Rizwan continues as the ODI captain. The squads feature several uncapped players, and Mohammad Yousuf joins as batting coach, with Aqib Javed as interim head coach. The tour includes five T20 matches and three ODIs from March 16 to April 5.
Pakistan has unveiled its ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, following the disappointing performance in the Champions Trophy. Salman Ali Agha has been appointed as the captain for the T20I team, while Mohammad Rizwan continues in the role of captain for the ODI format. Additionally, Salman has been designated as the vice-captain of the ODI squad.
The selection committee has acknowledged domestic cricket performers by including three uncapped players in the T20I squad: Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali. In the ODI squad, Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali have been selected despite openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub being unavailable due to health concerns. Fakhar is recuperating from a muscle sprain, and Saim is still recovering from an ankle fracture sustained during their tour of South Africa.
Aqib Javed will assume the role of head coach for this tour, with the Pakistan Cricket Board actively seeking a permanent head coach to be appointed by the conclusion of the series against New Zealand. Mohammad Yousuf has been brought on board as the batting coach for this tour.
The T20I squad comprises the following players: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), 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.
The ODI squad includes: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufyan Moqim, and Tayyab Tahir.
The supporting staff consists of Naveed Akram Cheema (team manager), Aqib Javed (interim head coach), Azhar Mahmood (assistant coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Mohammad Masroor (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saiman (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Butt (analyst), Irtiza Komail (security manager), Dr. Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media and digital manager), and Sergio Basil Mullins (masseur).
The tour schedule includes five T20 matches from March 16 to March 26, followed by three ODIs scheduled between March 29 and April 5. The venues for the matches include Hagley Oval, University Oval, Eden Park, Bay Oval, and McLean Park, among others.
In summary, Pakistan’s recent squad for the New Zealand tour has emphasized fresh talent alongside experienced leadership in both ODI and T20I formats. The appointment of Salman Ali Agha as T20I captain marks a strategic shift, while the selection of uncapped players highlights the selectors’ trust in domestic performers. As Pakistan approaches this critical tour, the cricketing community watches closely, especially as they search for a permanent head coach after the series.
Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com
