Pakistan has omitted captain Mohammad Rizwan and batsman Babar Azam from its T20 squad for an upcoming series against New Zealand, which begins on March 16. Salman Ali Agha will take the lead as captain with Shadab Khan as his deputy. The ODI team retains Rizwan and Babar, but several adjustments have been made following a disappointing Champions Trophy campaign.
ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistan’s cricket selectors have decided to exclude captain Mohammad Rizwan and renowned batsman Babar Azam from the T20 squad for their upcoming five-match series against New Zealand, commencing on March 16. The decision reflects a strategic move to incorporate standout performers from domestic matches as well as to rejuvenate the team following a disappointing performance in the recent Champions Trophy.
Salman Ali Agha has been appointed captain for the T20 series, with all-rounder Shadab Khan serving as vice-captain. Agha previously led the team to a 2-1 victory in a T20 series against Zimbabwe towards the end of last year. While Rizwan remains captain for the three One Day Internationals against New Zealand beginning March 29, significant adjustments have been made to the ODI lineup.
The Pakistani selectors have made various modifications to enhance performance after the team’s early exit from the Champions Trophy, where they finished fourth in their group. Noteworthy omissions from the ODI squad include fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi, along with top-order batsmen Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel. However, opener Abdullah Shafique has been reinstated after recovering from a poor run in South Africa.
Aaqib Javed, the interim head coach, emphasized the need for a fearless and aggressive playing style in T20 cricket to compete effectively, given the high scores seen in contemporary matches. Javed’s contract extension follows the Pakistan Cricket Board’s ongoing search for a permanent head coach to lead the team towards future successes.
The T20 squad comprises Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan, Abbas Afridi, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Irfan Khan, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Omair Bin Yousaf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Usman Khan. The ODI squad features Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Tayyab Tahir.
In summary, Pakistan’s recent changes to its T20 squad by dropping Rizwan and Babar Azam highlight a strategic shift aimed at introducing new talent to reinvigorate the team. As the team prepares for a challenging T20 series against New Zealand, it demonstrates a proactive approach to future performance, especially following a lackluster outing in the Champions Trophy. It remains to be seen how the newly composed squad will perform in the upcoming matches.
Original Source: apnews.com
