The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the T20I and ODI squads for the series against New Zealand. Salman Ali Agha and Shadab Khan will lead the T20I side, while Mohammad Rizwan retains the ODI captaincy. The series features five T20Is and three ODIs starting March 16, showcasing uncapped talent rewarded for domestic success.
On Tuesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the national squads for the forthcoming ODI and T20I series against New Zealand, scheduled to begin later this month. Salman Ali Agha is appointed as the T20I captain with Shadab Khan serving as vice-captain for the five-match T20I series, which will take place from March 16 to March 26. In the ODI format, Mohammad Rizwan will continue to lead the team, with Salman Ali Agha as his deputy for the three ODIs from March 29 to April 5.
The decision to appoint Salman and Shadab reflects the PCB’s strategic vision focused on upcoming international tournaments, including the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Salman previously captained Pakistan in a T20I series against Zimbabwe, where the team secured a 2-1 victory. To prepare for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, the team is scheduled to compete in multiple T20I matches against various teams over the coming months.
For the ODI format, Mohammad Rizwan has been entrusted with the captaincy as the team gears up for the ICC Men’s 50-over Cricket World Cup 2027, which will take place in Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The squad selections are aimed at building a competitive team structure ahead of both major tournaments scheduled in the coming years.
The announced T20I squad includes Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), and uncapped players Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali. The ODI squad features Mohammad Rizwan (captain) and includes other notable players such as Babar Azam and Naseem Shah. A wicketkeeper/batter will be added to the ODI squad following the T20Is.
The New Zealand tour’s schedule features five T20I matches starting on March 16 and concluding on March 26, followed by three ODIs commencing on March 29 and ending on April 5. The venues include notable locations such as Christchurch, Dunedin, Auckland, and Mount Maunganui. Uncapped players selected for the T20I format are recognized for their outstanding performances in domestic competitions.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has unveiled their squads for the upcoming series against New Zealand, emphasizing strategic leadership roles and the inclusion of new talents as they prepare for significant future competitions. With a clear focus on building a competitive edge, the selected players will participate in both T20I and ODI formats, enhancing the team’s readiness for major tournaments ahead.
Original Source: asianewsnetwork.net
