Pakistan T20I, ODI squad for New Zealand tour announced; Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan axed

Pakistan National Cricket Team has announced the squad for the five-match T20I and the three-match ODI series against the New Zealand National Cricket Team. Senior players in Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been dropped from the T20Is, and Salman Agha has been appointed as the new skipper.

The Pakistan National Cricket Team's tour to New Zealand will begin with a five-match T20I series. The PCB has announced a completely new look squad for the series, with a lot of youngsters getting an opportunity in the series. Shadab Khan has been appointed as the vice-captain in the shortest format of the game.

Senior pacers in Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf have retained their places in the T20I Team. Along with them, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali will be other pacers to go with Abrar Ahmed and Sufiyan Muqeem, who will handle the spin department of the team against New Zealand.

Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam retain place in ODI team

In the ODIs, Mohammad Rizwan has retained his place in the team as a captain along with Babar Azam. However, pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf have been dropped, and in their place, the Pakistan National Cricket Team has added Mohammad Waseem Jnr and Mohammad Ali along with Akif Javed.

Abdullah Shafique has made a return to the team, having been dropped from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 squad. Imam-ul-Haq, who was called as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman in the tournament, also has retained his place. With two openers in the team, it is expected that Babar Azam will be back to three.

Sufyan Muqeem has been added to the ODI squad as well and will serve as a second spinner for the Pakistan National Cricket Team in the ODIs against the New Zealand National Cricket Team.

Pakistan squad for the T20I series against New Zealand

Salman Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Aliz Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shaheen Afridi, Sufyan Muqeem, Usman Khan

Pakistan squad for the ODI series against New Zealand

Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Agha, Babar Azam, Imam Ul Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Akif Javed, Mohammad Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Sufyan Muqeem, Faheem Ashraf

Pakistan National Cricket Team would be keen to turn around things during their tour to New Zealand. The Men in Green had a torrid outing in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 as they were the first team to be eliminated from the tournament and failed to win a single game.

The T20I series will mark the beginning of the new era in Pakistan cricket and it will be a great opportunity for the young players to showcase their potential at the big stage. On the other hand, the ODI Team will have a point to prove, especially players in Babar Azam and skipper Mohammad Rizwan.

Also read: Aiden Markram out of Champions Trophy 2025 semi-final! South Africa sends replacement!!