Salman Agha has been named the new captain of Pakistan’s T20I cricket team, succeeding Mohammad Rizwan. Significant changes have occurred in the T20I squad, with both Rizwan and Babar Azam being dropped, whereas Rizwan retains the ODI captaincy. Shadab Khan returns as vice-captain, and new faces have been included as the team prepares for upcoming matches against New Zealand.
Salman Agha has been appointed as the new captain of the Pakistan T20I cricket team for the upcoming series against New Zealand. This decision follows the team’s poor performance during the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy held in Pakistan. Agha takes over from Mohammad Rizwan, who captained in four T20I matches, losing each one, although he retains his position as the ODI captain.
The selectors have enacted significant changes to the T20I roster, notably excluding senior players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan. This strategic shift reflects the team’s preparations for the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup. In contrast, the ODI lineup saw minimal alterations, with only Shaheen Afridi being dropped from the squad.
Shadab Khan has been reinstated as vice-captain of the T20I squad, alongside the return of Mohammad Haris after a lengthy absence from the national team. Unfortunately, Saim Ayub will miss the series due to an ankle injury sustained in South Africa. The selectors have introduced fresh talent in the batting order, including wicket-keeper Hasan Nawaz and the explosive Abdul Samad.
The bowling lineup for the T20I series primarily mirrors that of the previous series in South Africa. Veteran pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf have retained their spots, with Sufiyaan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed being added to the squad. Khushdil Shah is included, while Naseem Shah has not made the cut as Pakistan prepares for five T20 matches against New Zealand, followed by a tri-series ODI.
The finalized T20I squad includes Hassan Nawaz, Omair Yousuf, Mohammad Haris, Abdul Samad, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Irfan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, and Shadab Khan, among others. The ODI squad features Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Babar Azam, and Salman Ali Agha, comprising a mixture of experienced and upcoming players.
While Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan remain the top two run-scorers for Pakistan in T20Is, their current sub-100 strike rates have raised concerns. Babar leads with 4,223 runs, closely followed by Rizwan with 3,414 runs, reflecting the need for improved scoring rates in future matches.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s cricket team has made notable changes ahead of their T20I series against New Zealand, with Salman Agha stepping up as captain while senior players Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been excluded from the T20 format. The strategic adjustments in the roster, coupled with the introduction of new talent, indicate a focused approach as the team aims to enhance their performance for the forthcoming ICC T20 World Cup.
Original Source: www.newsbytesapp.com
