The Pakistan cricket team has arrived in New Zealand for a three-week tour, consisting of five T20Is and three ODIs, following their poor performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy. Salman Agha has been appointed as T20I captain, with Rizwan continuing as ODI captain. This tour serves as a pivotal rebuilding opportunity as the team prepares for future tournaments.
The Pakistan cricket team has arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand, ahead of their T20I series set to commence on March 16. This tour includes five T20 internationals and three one-day matches over a span of three weeks. The series represents a crucial opportunity for Pakistan to recover from their poor performance at the recent ICC Champions Trophy, where they experienced an early exit without securing a victory, losing matches against New Zealand and India, and facing a rain-affected game against Bangladesh.
For the T20I matches, Salman Agha will assume the captaincy, supported by vice-captain Shadab Khan. The squad has been bolstered by the inclusion of three uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali, due to the absence of experienced players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from this format. In contrast, Rizwan will lead the team in the ODI matches as captain, with Agha serving as his deputy during the three ODIs scheduled from March 29 to April 5.
The decision to appoint Salman Agha and Shadab Khan as captain and vice-captain of the T20I team reflects a strategic approach towards upcoming tournaments, particularly the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Previous to this appointment, Agha led Pakistan in a T20I series against Zimbabwe, achieving a series victory. The Pakistan cricket management has outlined a robust schedule in preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026, including multiple T20I matches against various teams prior to the tournament.
Rizwan’s leadership role in the ODIs will contribute to Pakistan’s preparation for the ICC Men’s 50-over Cricket World Cup 2027, set to be held across Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. For this New Zealand tour, Aqib Javed will continue as interim head coach, following an extension of his tenure, while a search for a permanent head coach is underway. Mohammad Yousuf has been appointed as the batting coach to further strengthen the team.
The T20I squad comprises: 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 Jr., Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufyan Moqim, and Tayyab Tahir.
In summary, the arrival of the Pakistan cricket team in New Zealand marks the beginning of a critical rebuilding phase following their disappointing performance at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy. With new leadership in both the T20I and ODI formats, alongside a focus on upcoming international tournaments, the team aims to enhance their competitiveness on the global cricket stage. The strategic decisions made by the management indicate a long-term vision for success in future cricketing events.
Original Source: sports.ndtv.com
