Babar, Rizwan dropped from T20I as PCB announces squad for NZ tour

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the ODI and T20 squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, introducing major changes in both formats.

Head coach Aqib Javed revealed the squads, confirming that Mohammad Rizwan will continue as ODI captain, while Salman Ali Agha has been appointed T20 captain, with Shadab Khan as his deputy.

The decision to appoint Salman and Shadab as T20 captain and vice-captain was made with an eye on the Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 (September 2025) and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (February-March 2026).

Pakistan’s ODI Squad:

Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Aqif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Irfan Khan Niazi, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir.

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Pakistan’s 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, Umair Bin Yousuf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Usman Khan.

Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub have been left out of both squads on medical advice.