Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan thrown out of New Zealand tour, new Pakistan captain selected

Several senior Pakistan players including Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are reportedly considering skipping the upcoming tour of New Zealand after the team's disappointing performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

Former cricketer Rashid Latif has revealed the squad, featuring several new faces, with Shadab Khan likely to be named captain.

Defending champions Pakistan were eliminated from the Champions Trophy 2025 after suffering consecutive defeats to New Zealand and India. They finished at the bottom of the Group A table with just one point, as their final group-stage match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi was abandoned due to rain.

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi Criticized for Underperformance

After Pakistan's disappointing campaign in the Champions Trophy, former cricketers and fans heavily criticized senior players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi for underperforming on the big stage. Notably, it was Mohammad Rizwan's first ICC tournament as Pakistan captain.

There have been growing calls for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to move on from experienced players and provide opportunities to younger talent in the upcoming matches. Amid this criticism, Rashid Latif revealed the probable squad, without Babar and Rizwan, for the upcoming New Zealand tour.

Rashid Latif Reveals List of Potential Players Under Consideration

Rashid Latif shared a list of potential players being considered. Latif revealed that new faces like Hassan Nawaz, Ali Raza, Abdul Samad, Akif Javed, and Muhammad Nafay are under consideration. He also stated that Muhammad Haris, Sufyan Muqeem, and Irfan Khan Niazi are among the returning players.

"For New Zealand T20 squad new players under consideration - Hassan Nawaz, Ali Raza, Abdul Samad, Akif Javed, and Muhammad Nafay," Latif wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter).

"Others probables - Shadab Khan probably Captain, Muhammad Haris, Sufyan Muqeem, Arafat Minhas, Irfan Khan Niazi, Zaman Khan, Mohammad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Agha Salman, Abrar Ahmed, Umair bin Yousuf, Khush Dil Shah."

For New Zealand T20 squad new players under consideration

Hassan Nawaz
Ali Raza
Abdul Samad
Akif javed
Muhammad Nafay

Others probables

Shadab khan probably Captain
Muhammad haris
Sufyan Muqeem
Arafat Minhas
Irfan khan Niazi
Zaman khan
Mohammad Wasim
Abbas Afridi…

— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) March 1, 2025

Pakistan to Begin New Zealand Tour on March 16

Pakistan will tour New Zealand from March 16 to April 5 for a total of eight matches, including five T20Is and three ODIs. This series will serve as a crucial opportunity for Pakistan to test new players, especially in the absence of several senior cricketers.

The PCB’s decision on the captaincy will be closely watched, as the team looks to rebuild after their disappointing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.

The T20I series will commence on March 16 in Christchurch, followed by the second match on March 18 in Dunedin. The third match will take place in Auckland on March 21, while the fourth and fifth T20Is are set to be played on March 23 in Mount Maunganui and March 26 in Wellington, respectively.

Following the conclusion of the T20I series, both teams will shift focus to the three-match ODI series. The first ODI will be played in Napier on March 29, with the second game scheduled for April 2 in Hamilton. This 50-over series will conclude with the final match in Mount Maunganui on April 5.

Also read: Revealed - How Afghanistan can qualify for Champions Trophy semi-final after Australia match?