Pakistan’s T20I and ODI Squad for New Zealand Tour: Rashid Latif’s Bold Picks
Pakistan is preparing for a crucial white-ball series against New Zealand in March-April 2025 after a disappointing ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. The team failed to win any matches, facing defeats against New Zealand and India, while their game against Bangladesh was washed out. With this poor performance, major changes in the squad were expected.
- Babar Azam and Naseem Shah have been dropped from the T20I squad.
- Shadab Khan has been appointed as the T20 captain.
- Mohammad Rizwan is also absent from the T20I squad but will lead the ODI team.
- Shaheen Afridi is included in the T20I squad but left out of the ODI squad.
Pakistan’s T20I Squad for New Zealand Tour
Former cricketer Rashid Latif has revealed his squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series. In a surprising move, he has dropped Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Mohammad Rizwan from the squad. Shadab Khan will lead the team as the new T20I captain.
Full T20I Squad:
- Shadab Khan (C)
- Muhammad Haris
- Shaheen Afridi
- Abrar Ahmed
- Khushdil Shah
- Hassan Nawaz
- Haris Rauf
- Sufiyan Muqeem
- Irfan Khan Niazi
- Abbas Afridi
- Jahandad Khan
- Omair bin Yousuf
- Abdul Samad
- Hussain Talat
- Usman Khan
- Mohammad Ali
Coaching Staff for T20I Team:
- Batting Coach: Mohammad Yousuf
Pakistan’s ODI Squad for New Zealand Tour
In contrast to the T20I squad, Babar Azam and Naseem Shah have been included in the ODI team. However, Shaheen Afridi has been left out of the 50-over squad. Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed as the ODI captain.
Full ODI Squad:
- Mohammad Rizwan (C)
- Babar Azam
- Salman Ali Agha
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Abdullah Shafique
- Tayyab Tahir
- Irfan Khan
- Khushdil Shah
- Mohammad Wasim
- Naseem Shah
- Akif Javed
- Mohammad Ali
- Abrar Ahmed
- Sufyan Muqeem
- Faheem Ashraf
Coaching Staff for ODI Team:
- Head Coach: Aqib Javed
- Batting Coach: Mohammad Yousuf
- Bowling Coach: Azhar Mehmood
- Fielding Coach: Mohammad Masroor
Impact of Squad Changes
The exclusion of Babar Azam from the T20I squad signals a major shift in Pakistan’s strategy. Shadab Khan’s appointment as captain shows the team’s desire for a fresh approach. Meanwhile, Rizwan’s leadership in ODIs indicates that the selectors still value his experience in the longer white-ball format.
The return of young talents like Hassan Nawaz, Abdul Samad, and Omair bin Yousuf in T20Is suggests a focus on power-hitting and aggressive cricket. The absence of Shaheen Afridi in ODIs raises questions, as he remains one of Pakistan’s best pacers.
What’s Next for Pakistan Cricket?
Pakistan’s performance in New Zealand will be crucial in shaping their squad for future international tournaments. If the newly appointed captains perform well, these changes might become permanent.
The selection choices by Rashid Latif have sparked debate among fans. Dropping senior players from the T20I squad is a bold decision, but it remains to be seen if this gamble pays off. The upcoming New Zealand tour will test Pakistan’s new leadership and fresh talent.