Salman Agha has been named the new T20I captain of Pakistan, replacing Mohammad Rizwan. Babar Azam and Rizwan have been excluded from the T20I team ahead of the series against New Zealand, while Rizwan retains the ODI captaincy. Shadab Khan returns as vice-captain, and new players are introduced to the squad as part of a strategic shift in preparation for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup.
Salman Agha has been appointed as the new T20I captain of the Pakistan cricket team ahead of the upcoming series against New Zealand. This decision follows a disappointing performance during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy held in Pakistan, where the team did not secure any victories. Mohammad Rizwan, who previously captained in four T20Is without success, has been dropped but will continue to lead the ODI squad.
The Pakistan selectors have implemented several changes to the T20I lineup, notably excluding senior players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. This strategy shift emphasizes preparation for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup, indicating a move towards fostering younger talent. In contrast, the ODI squad remains predominantly intact with only Shaheen Afridi being removed.
Shadab Khan returns to the T20I squad and will serve as the vice-captain, alongside the comeback of Mohammad Haris after his absence. Saim Ayub, however, will miss the series due to an ankle injury sustained in South Africa. The selectors have introduced noteworthy batsmen like wicketkeeper Hasan Nawaz and powerful hitter Abdul Samad into the team.
The bowling lineup for the T20I matches against New Zealand remains mostly unchanged from the recent series against South Africa. Veteran pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf maintain their positions, with Sufiyaan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed joining the squad. Khushdil Shah has been included, whereas Naseem Shah has been omitted.
The upcoming T20I series will feature five matches against the New Zealand side, followed by a three-match ODI series. For reference, the T20I squad consists of Hassan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyaan Muqeem, Abrar Ahmed, and Usman Khan. The ODI squad includes Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Tayyab Tahir.
In conclusion, the appointment of Salman Agha as T20I captain represents a strategic overhaul within the Pakistan cricket team, aimed at revitalizing the squad in light of past performances. The exclusion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan reflects a commitment to infusing new talent as the team prepares for significant international competitions. These changes pave the way for a fresh approach as the team eyes future success.
Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com
