Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan Dropped from Pakistan T20I Squad vs New Zealand

Pakistan cricket has hit the reset button once again, making some bold calls ahead of their five-match T20I series in New Zealand. The biggest headline? Captain Mohammad Rizwan and star batter Babar Azam have both been left out as the selectors continue their search for the right T20 combination.

This is the first squad announcement since Pakistan’s disastrous Champions Trophy campaign on home soil, and it comes with plenty of shake-ups. Shadab Khan, making his return to the side, has been named vice-captain, while Rizwan’s deputy, Salman Agha, takes over as T20I captain. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) made it clear that Salman and Shadab are being groomed with an eye on two major tournaments – the 2025 Asia Cup in September and the 2026 T20 World Cup early the following year. Salman is no stranger to leadership, having captained Pakistan to a 2-1 series win over Zimbabwe last year. 

Babar Azam & Mohammad Rizwan Dropped from Pakistan T20I Squad vs New Zealand pic.twitter.com/77wxLyGTEV

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Rizwan’s stint as full-time T20I captain was short-lived, and unfortunately, it didn’t bring much success—Pakistan lost all five completed matches under his leadership. As for Babar, his exclusion suggests Pakistan is once again looking to move away from the much-debated Babar-Rizwan opening partnership. While the duo brought reliability and consistency, they were often criticized for being too cautious in a format that demands aggressive starts. With an unstable middle order over the years, Pakistan repeatedly turned back to them. But this latest shake-up signals a clear intent to move in a different direction. 

However, Rizwan will continue leading Pakistan’s ODI side as the team builds towards the 2027 World Cup in South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. But in another surprising move, fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has been dropped from the 50-over setup. The squad also features some fresh faces. Mohammad Haris returns after a long absence, while young wicketkeeper Hasan Nawaz earns a call-up despite having played just 21 T20s. Explosive batter Abdul Samad, who is yet to feature in the PSL, gets a nod after impressing in domestic cricket. Quetta Gladiators’ Omair Yousuf also makes the cut as Pakistan takes a sharp turn away from their experienced batters. 

The bowling department remains largely unchanged from their recent T20I series in South Africa. Shaheen and Haris Rauf hold their spots, but Naseem Shah – who last played a T20I against Australia in November – remains sidelined. Meanwhile, spinners Sufiyaan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed retain their places, and all-rounder Khushdil Shah has been drafted in.