Pakistan’s Bold Squad Shake-Up for New Zealand Tour: Babar and Rizwan Left Out

Pakistan cricket has taken a daring new direction with its squad announcement for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, dropping seasoned stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20I lineup. The move signals a fresh strategy aimed at reshaping the team’s approach in the shortest format of the game.

Major Overhaul in T20I Squad

Pakistan’s five-match T20I series against New Zealand will see Salman Ali Agha taking charge as captain, with the returning Shadab Khan appointed as vice-captain. The absence of Babar and Rizwan—who have long been mainstays at the top of the order—marks a clear attempt to move away from their more conservative style of play and embrace a more aggressive batting philosophy.

The squad also welcomes back Mohammad Haris, while young talents Hassan Nawaz and Abdul Samad have been called up for the first time, thanks to their standout performances in domestic cricket. Meanwhile, Omair Bin Yousuf, known for his consistent batting in the Quetta Gladiators camp, gets his maiden opportunity in the national colors.

From the bowling perspective, the pace attack remains largely unchanged, with Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf continuing to spearhead the bowling department. The spin duo of Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed has also been retained, while left-arm pacer Naseem Shah remains absent from the T20I squad.

Rizwan’s Captaincy Under the Scanner?

Although not officially announced, Rizwan’s exclusion suggests his tenure as T20I captain is nearing its end after a short and challenging stint. Under his leadership, Pakistan failed to register a single win in five completed T20Is, raising questions about his tactical effectiveness in the format. Agha Salman, who recently led Pakistan to a 2-1 series win against Zimbabwe, now gets the chance to prove himself on a bigger stage.

Babar’s Absence: A Tactical Shift?

Babar Azam’s exclusion from the T20I squad further underlines Pakistan’s intent to experiment with a more aggressive batting order. While his consistency has been a cornerstone of Pakistan’s T20I success, critics have often pointed out the team’s over-reliance on him and Rizwan, sometimes at the cost of a higher scoring rate. With this bold step, the selectors appear to be testing a new dynamic in the top order.

Minimal Changes in ODI Squad

Unlike the T20I setup, the ODI squad remains largely unchanged, with Mohammad Rizwan retaining his role as captain. Babar Azam continues to be a key player in the 50-over format, while young pacer Akif Javed has been given an opportunity to make his mark. Shaheen Afridi, who was instrumental in Pakistan’s ODI victories against Australia and South Africa, has been rested for the series.

Full Squads for New Zealand Tour

T20I Squad:

Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hassan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Irfan Khan Niazi, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Usman Khan.

ODI Squad:

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

Pakistan’s Road Ahead

This radical squad selection sets the stage for an intriguing series, as Pakistan experiments with new faces and strategies. The decision to move beyond the established Babar-Rizwan duo in T20Is could mark the beginning of a new era for Pakistan cricket. However, whether this gamble pays off against a formidable New Zealand side remains to be seen.