Salman Ali Agha is set to lead Pakistan’s youthful cricket team on a tour of New Zealand, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs. Despite the absence of injured players, the squad includes three uncapped talents. Agha aims for improved results following the Champions Trophy 2025, with confidence stemming from a recent series win against Zimbabwe.
Pakistan’s newly appointed T20I captain Salman Ali Agha is eager to lead a youthful team against New Zealand during the upcoming tour. Following a disappointing performance in the Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan is set to participate in a white-ball series featuring five T20Is and three ODIs. With the T20 World Cup approaching next year and the Asia Cup scheduled for later this year, the selection committee has opted for a young squad to develop future talent.
The Pakistani team will miss key players Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman due to injuries but has incorporated three uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali. These players earned their place in the national squad after noteworthy performances in domestic competitions. Ahead of the series, Agha stated, “We have some young players in the side, and it is an opportunity for them to showcase their talent at the international level after performing well in domestic cricket.”
Salman Agha, who recently captained Pakistan to a 2-1 series victory over Zimbabwe in his inaugural series, expressed optimism regarding their tour of New Zealand. He remarked, “The team’s preparations are going well, and we will try to produce better results in New Zealand.” Historically, Pakistan has performed favorably against New Zealand, winning 23 out of 44 T20I matches between the two teams, while New Zealand has secured victory in 19 encounters.
Pakistan’s T20I squad includes Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan, 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. The ODI squad, led by Mohammad Rizwan, features several key players including Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq.
The schedule for the New Zealand tour includes five T20Is starting from 16 March to 26 March, followed by three ODIs from 29 March to 5 April, with matches taking place across various cities in New Zealand, including Christchurch, Dunedin, Auckland, Mount Maunganui, and Hamilton.
In conclusion, Pakistan’s journey to New Zealand presents a significant opportunity for its younger players to display their skills on an international stage. Led by Salman Ali Agha, the team aims to improve following past performances. The squad composition signals a strategic emphasis on nurturing talent in anticipation of the T20 World Cup and Asia Cup. Pakistan’s historical advantage in T20I encounters with New Zealand adds a competitive edge as they embark on this series.
Original Source: www.icc-cricket.com
