Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday revealed the national team for the upcoming whiteball series against New Zealand.
The series contains five T20 Internationals (T20Is) from 16 to 26 March, followed by three one day’s international (ODIs) from March 29 to April 5.
Allrounder Salman Ali Agha has been named T20i captain with Shadab Khan as his deputy. Mohammad Rizwan will continue to lead the Odi side, where Agha serves as a vice-captain.
PCB stated that the appointments of AGHA and Shadab were made with an eye on two major upcoming tournaments – ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Salman, who led Pakistan to a 2-1 series victory against Zimbabwe last year, gets another opportunity to prove himself as a captain.
Meanwhile, Rizwan will continue as ODI -Captain as Pakistan is preparing for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027, which will host Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Pakistan -hold to the New Zealand series
ODDE -HOLD: Muhammad Rizwan (C), Salman Ali Agha (VC), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-Ul-Haq, Khushhdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan Khan Khan Khan Khan Khan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufad Tahir.
T20i team: Salman Ali Agha (C), Shadab Khan (VC), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan Khan.
Pakistan’s path to T20 World Cup 2026
As part of their preparations for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan will play at least five T20i matches in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup 2025.
In addition, they are scheduled to meet the West Indies (Away, July), Afghanistan (Home, August), Ireland (Home, September), South Africa (Home, September-October), Sri Lanka (Home, November) and Australia (Home, January 2026) in the Three-Match T20i series.
With a mix of experienced players and new talent, the New Zealand series will serve as a crucial test for Pakistan prior to major international tournaments.
