Salman Agha to Lead Pakistan in T20Is Against New Zealand
In a surprising move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed Salman Agha as the captain of the T20I squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour of 2025. Regular white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan and former T20I World No. 1 Babar Azam have been dropped from the T20I squad, while Shaheen Afridi is absent from the ODI side. Rizwan will continue to lead the ODI team, with Agha serving as his deputy.
Key Changes in the Squads
T20I Squad
- Captain: Salman Agha
- Vice-Captain: Shadab Khan
- New Faces: Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali (uncapped).
- Returning Players: Shaheen Afridi makes a comeback after missing the South Africa series.
ODI Squad
- Captain: Mohammad Rizwan
- Vice-Captain: Salman Agha
- New Faces: Akif Javed (uncapped).
- Notable Absences: Fakhar Zaman (injury), Saim Ayub (injury), and Shaheen Afridi.
Focus on Future Tournaments
The PCB’s decision to appoint Agha as T20I captain is part of a broader strategy to prepare for the Asia Cup 2025 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Agha previously led Pakistan to a 2-1 series victory against Zimbabwe in 2024, showcasing his leadership skills.
Uncapped Players Rewarded for Domestic Performances
- Abdul Samad: He scored 115 runs at a strike rate of 166.67 in the Champions T20 Cup.
- Hasan Nawaz: Finished as the second-highest run-scorer in the tournament with 312 runs.
- Mohammad Ali: The leading wicket-taker in the Champions T20 Cup with 22 scalps.
Injury Updates
- Fakhar Zaman: Recovering from a left lower intercostal muscle sprain sustained during the Champions Trophy.
- Saim Ayub: Out due to a right-ankle fracture suffered during the Test against South Africa in January.
- Additional Player: A batter/wicketkeeper will be added to the ODI squad after the T20I series.
Coaching Staff
- Interim Head Coach: Aqib Javed continues in his role despite his original term ending after the Champions Trophy.
- Batting Coach: Mohammad Yousuf has been appointed to strengthen Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Fixtures for Pakistan Tour of New Zealand 2025
| Format | Date | Venue | Match |
| 1st T20I | March 16, 2025 | Eden Park, Auckland | New Zealand vs Pakistan |
| 2nd T20I | March 18, 2025 | Hagley Oval, Christchurch | New Zealand vs Pakistan |
| 3rd T20I | March 21, 2025 | Basin Reserve, Wellington | New Zealand vs Pakistan |
| 4th T20I | March 25, 2025 | Sky Stadium, Wellington | New Zealand vs Pakistan |
| 5th T20I | March 27, 2025 | Seddon Park, Hamilton | New Zealand vs Pakistan |
| 1st ODI | March 30, 2025 | McLean Park, Napier | New Zealand vs Pakistan |
| 2nd ODI | April 2, 2025 | Bay Oval, Tauranga | New Zealand vs Pakistan |
| 3rd ODI | April 5, 2025 | Seddon Park, Hamilton | New Zealand vs Pakistan |
Key Takeaways
- New Leadership: Salman Agha takes charge of the T20I team, while Rizwan leads the ODI side.
- Youth Focus: Uncapped players rewarded for stellar domestic performances.
- Injury Concerns: Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub miss out due to injuries.
- Future Planning: PCB aims to build a strong team for the Asia Cup 2025 and T20 World Cup 2026.
Source: Pakistan vs New Zealand: Head-to-Head Record
Source: Official PCB Website
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