Salman Agha to Captain Pakistan T20I Team Against New Zealand

Salman Agha is set to lead Pakistan’s T20 International team in the anticipated five-match series against New Zealand. This series marks a significant shift as senior players Mohammad Rizwan, the regular white-ball captain, and former T20I top-ranked batsman Babar Azam have been omitted from the T20I squad. However, Rizwan will continue to captain the ODI team for the multi-format tour, despite recent underwhelming performances in both the tri-series and the Champions Trophy. Agha will serve as his deputy in the ODI format.

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to appoint Agha as the T20I captain reflects a forward-looking strategy, with an eye on major upcoming T20 tournaments: the Asia Cup in September 2025 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India the following year. Agha has prior captaincy experience, having led Pakistan against Zimbabwe last year in a series they won 2-1. Leg-spinner Shadab Khan, who last played T20Is for Pakistan at the previous Men’s T20 World Cup, returns to the squad and has been named vice-captain.

In a move emphasizing domestic cricket performance, Pakistan has included three uncapped players in the T20I squad: Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali. Samad impressed with 115 runs at a strike rate of 166.67 in the Champions T20 Cup, while Nawaz was the second-highest scorer in the same tournament with 312 runs. Ali stood out as the leading wicket-taker in the competition, claiming 22 wickets. Shaheen Afridi also rejoins the T20I squad after missing the South Africa series in December.

Mohammad Ali has also earned a call-up to the ODI squad, alongside another uncapped player, Akif Javed. Javed impressed by taking seven wickets in five matches during the Champions ODI Cup.

Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were not considered for selection due to medical reasons. Zaman is still recovering from a muscle strain sustained during Pakistan’s Champions Trophy opener, and Ayub is recovering from an ankle fracture suffered during a Test match against South Africa in January. An additional batter or wicketkeeper will be added to the ODI squad after the T20I series concludes.

Pakistan is scheduled to play five T20Is and three ODIs against New Zealand from March 16th to April 5th.

Regarding coaching staff, interim head coach Aqib Javed will continue in his role for this series, extending beyond his original term which was up to the Champions Trophy. Mohammad Yousuf has been appointed as the batting coach for Pakistan.