Babar, Rizwan dropped as Pakistan ring changes for New Zealand tour

Eyeing the next T20 World Cup and Asia Cup, Pakistan's national selectors made a bold move by dropping experienced campaigners Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20 squad for the upcoming New Zealand tour.

The T20I team will be led by a new captain – Salman Ali Agha.

The purpose behind the decision is to bring the fire-power by testing the new blood which is the need of the hour in modern cricket.

However, both Babar and Rizwan have been in the ODI squad for the three matches on the New Zealand tour with Rizwan leading the men in green in the 50-over format.

On the tour Pakistan will play five T20I and three ODIs. The T20I series will be played from March 16 to 26, followed by ODI series from March 29 to April 5.

Major Changes

Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf have retained their places in the 20-over squad, but have been dropped from the ODI squad. Naseem has retained his place in the ODI squad

Shadab Khan, who last played in the 2024 T20 World Cup, has returned to the T20 squad as a vice-captain.

Kamran Ghulam, who was part of Pakistan’s squad for the ICC Champions Trophy, also failed to retain his place.

Regarding dropping Kamran, Aaqib revealed that his performance as a fielder was a major issue as players also need to be good at fielding in order to survive in the white-ball cricket.

Abdullah Shafique, who was dropped for the Champions Trophy 2025, has returned to the 50-over squad.

The 22-year old stumper Hasan Nawaz, aggressive batsman Abdul Samad and Omair Bin Yousuf are in the others have been included in T20 squad.

Explosive wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Haris has also returned after a long time.

Spinners Abrar Ahmad and Sufyan Muqeem have retained their places in T20 squad while Khushdil Shah has also made a return. Khushdil also retained his place in ODI squad.

Mohammad Waseem Junior, a prolific pacer, has been the most welcome inclusion in the ODI squad.

Ifran Khan Niazi and Sufyan Muqeem, who were not in the Champions Trophy squad, have been recalled to the ODI squad.

Fast bowler Mohammad Ali has been able to find place in both the squads.

Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub have not been part of any squad as they are nursing their injuries.

Aaqib defends Shadab

Aaqib Javed, interim head coach, tried to defend Shadab Khan’s inclusion.

“We feel that we lack all-rounders and we felt this in Australia and South Africa also and felt that in Test cricket too," Aaqib said.

"We had told Shadab when we dropped him that he will need to bowl long in domestic cricket and he did that. And the concerns about his accuracy would have been ended following his so long bowling in four-day cricket.”

“In T20 cricket you will need wrist spinners and all-rounders. As T20 World Cup and Asia Cup is in the sub-continent so we will have to keep in mind which players could be helpful,” he added.

When asked whether Babar and Rizwan will be part of Pakistan’s T20 future plans, Aaqib responded vaguely, “It does not happen in life and you cannot put a full stop. Now we will feel to change the mindset as per requirements of modern-day cricket.” he said.

“If you see this T20 squad so when Fakhar and Saim will return to it, it will be a good lot,” he added.

Teams

T20I squad - Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousaf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan

ODI squad - Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufyan Moqim and Tayyab Tahir. A wicketkeeper/batter will be added to the ODI squad following the T20Is