The national cricket team’s ODI and T20 squads for the New Zealand tour have been announced. Major changes have been made in both squads, with big names being assigned to different formats.
According to details, Head coach Aqib Javed announced the squads and stated that Mohammad Rizwan will be the ODI captain, while Salman Ali Agha will lead the T20 team, with Shadab Khan as vice-captain.
The decision to appoint Salman and Shadab as T20 captain and vice-captain, respectively, was made with an eye on two major upcoming tournaments: the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 (September 2025) and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup (February-March 2026).
ODI Squad:
Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqim, and Tayyab Tahir.
Opener Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were not considered for selection in either format due to medical advice.
T20 Squad:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abbas Afridi, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Irfan Khan Niazi, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Omair bin Yousuf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqim, and Usman Khan.
New Zealand tour schedule:
16 Mar – first T20I, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
18 Mar – second T20I, University Oval, Dunedin
21 Mar – third T20I, Eden Park, Auckland
23 Mar – fourth T20I, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
26 Mar – fifth T20I, Sky Stadium, Wellington
29 Mar – first ODI, McLean Park, Napier
2 Apr – second ODI, Seddon Park, Hamilton
5 Apr – third ODI, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui
According to Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Aqib Javed will continue as interim head coach for the New Zealand tour. His original term was until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but he has been asked to extend his tenure while the search for a permanent head coach begins. Mohammad Yousuf has been appointed as batting coach.
Player Support Personnel:
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).
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