Pakistan has omitted captain Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam from the T20 squad for the series against New Zealand starting March 16. Salman Ali Agha will lead the side, with several domestic talents included. Rizwan remains captain for the ODIs commencing March 29, while the team aims for a more aggressive approach under interim coach Aaqib Javed.
Pakistan has decided to drop both captain Mohammad Rizwan and prominent batsman Babar Azam for the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand. The five-match series is set to commence on March 16, and the selectors have opted to reward several promising domestic performers. Salman Ali Agha will assume the role of captain, backed by all-rounder Shadab Khan as vice-captain, following Agha’s successful leadership in a T20 series against Zimbabwe last year.
Despite being omitted from the T20 squad, Rizwan will retain his captaincy for the three One Day Internationals against New Zealand starting March 29, alongside Babar Azam. In response to Pakistan’s disappointing exit from the recent Champions Trophy, during which the team finished fourth in their group, the selectors made significant adjustments to the ODI squad as well.
Fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi, included in the T20 lineup, have not been selected for the ODIs along with several top-order batters such as Kamran Ghulam and Saud Shakeel. Although opener Abdullah Shafique returns after previous omissions due to his poor performances, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub remain unavailable due to injuries.
Interim head coach Aaqib Javed emphasized the need for a more aggressive and fearless approach in T20 cricket, stating, “We need to play fearless and aggressive cricket in the T20 format and that’s why we have brought in new players.” Furthermore, Javed’s contract, initially set to last until the Champions Trophy, has been extended as the Pakistan Cricket Board seeks a permanent head coach.
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 includes 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 cricket team has made notable changes to its T20 and ODI squads in reaction to recent performances. The introduction of new players signifies a strategic shift towards a more aggressive playing style in T20 matches. As the team prepares for a combination of T20 and ODI series against New Zealand, the outcomes will surely reflect these adjustments.
Original Source: apnews.com
