Pakistan Announces ODI and T20I Squads for New Zealand Tour – Salman Ali Agha Named T20I Captain

Pakistan has officially announced its ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming New Zealand tour from March 16 to April 5, 2025. Salman Ali Agha will captain the T20I team, while Shadab Khan will be the vice-captain. Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan will continue leading the ODI team, with Salman Ali Agha as his deputy.

Pakistan’s Strategic Squad Selection for New Zealand Series

The decision to appoint Salman Ali Agha as T20I captain aligns with Pakistan’s long-term vision of preparing for the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The T20I squad features three uncapped players – Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali – all impressed in the Champions One-Day and T20 Cups.

In the Champions T20 Cup, Abdul Samad showcased his batting prowess with 115 runs at a strike rate of 166.67. While Hasan Nawaz finished as the second-highest run-scorer with 312 runs at a strike rate of 142.47. Mohammad Ali, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, took 22 wickets, solidifying his place in the Pakistan squad.

Injury Concerns and Player Availability

Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub could not be considered due to their injuries. Fakhar is recovering from a muscle sprain in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Saim is rehabilitating a right ankle fracture from the Cape Town Test. Both players are anticipated to be in top shape for the HBL PSL 10, which starts on April 11, 2025.

Coaching Staff and Tour Schedule

Aqib Javed will remain interim head coach beyond the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Moreover, Mohammad Yousuf has been appointed as the new batting coach.

New Zealand Tour Fixtures:

This highly anticipated tour will serve as crucial preparation for Pakistan’s upcoming major ICC events.