Pakistan Squads for New Zealand Tour 2025

Pakistan squads for New Zealand tour have been announced recently. PCB has appointed Salman Ali Agha as the new T20I captain, with Shadab Khan serving as vice-captain, for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand from March 16 to 26. Mohammad Rizwan will continue to lead the ODI team, while Agha will be his deputy for the three 50-over matches scheduled from March 29 to April 5.

This strategic move is part of Pakistan’s preparations for two major tournaments: the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Agha Ali Salman previously led Pakistan to a 2-1 victory in a T20I series against Zimbabwe, showcasing his leadership potential.

In preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026, Pakistan is set to play a series of T20Is, including at least five matches in the Asia Cup 2025 and three-match series against several teams. Meanwhile, Rizwan will continue to captain the ODI side as Pakistan gears up for the ICC Men’s 50-over Cricket World Cup 2027, scheduled for Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Pakistan Squads for New Zealand Tour 2025

ODI Squad– Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufyan Moqim and Tayyab Tahir. 

A wicketkeeper/batter will be added to the ODI squad following the T20Is.

T20 Squad– Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), 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 T20I Pakistan squad for New Zealand tour includes three uncapped players—Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Mohammad Ali—while Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali remain uncapped in ODIs. These players earned their spots through standout performances in the Champions One-Day and T20 Cups.

Abdul Samad showcased his batting prowess in the Champions T20 Cup by scoring 115 runs at a strike rate of 166.67, following his 145 runs at a strike rate of 122.88 in the Champions One-Day Cup. Similarly, Hasan Nawaz excelled as the second-highest run-scorer in the Champions T20 Cup with 312 runs at a strike rate of 142.47. Mohammad Ali emerged as the leading wicket-taker in the Champions T20 Cup with 22 wickets and also claimed three wickets in the Champions One-Day Cup. Akif Javed secured his place in the ODI squad after taking seven wickets in five matches during the Champions One-Day Cup and 15 wickets in the Champions T20 Cup.

Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were ruled out of selection for both T20I and ODI formats on medical grounds. Fakhar sustained a left lower intercostal muscle sprain during Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand, while Saim is recovering from a right ankle fracture sustained on the first day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa in January. Both players are expected to regain full fitness in time for the HBL Pakistan Super League 10, which begins in Rawalpindi on April 11, 2025.

Aqib Javed will continue as interim head coach for the New Zealand tour. His original term was until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but he has been asked to extend his tenure while the search for a permanent head coach begins. Mohammad Yousuf has been appointed as batting coach.

Player Support Personnel – Naveed Akram Cheema (team manager), Aqib Javed (interim head coach), Azhar Mahmood (assistant coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Mohammad Masroor (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saiman (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Butt (analyst), Irtiza Komail (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media and digital manager) and Sergio Basil Mullins (masseur).

Pakistan vs. New Zealand tour schedule:

16 March 2025 – first T20I, Hagley Oval, Christchurch

18 March 2025 – second T20I, University Oval, Dunedin

21 March 2025 – third T20I, Eden Park, Auckland

23 March 2025 – fourth T20I, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

26 March 2025 – fifth T20I, Sky Stadium, Wellington

29 March 2025 – first ODI, McLean Park, Napier

2 April 2025 – second ODI, Seddon Park, Hamilton

5 April 2025– third ODI, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui