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Babar Azam Dropped, Agha Salman Appointed Captain as Pakistan Announces Squad for New Zealand T20Is
Pakistan Cricket Board Unveils Fresh-Look T20I Squad
In a significant move, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed a revamped 16-member squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand. The most notable change sees Agha Salman taking over as captain, with Shadab Khan appointed as vice-captain.
Senior Players Dropped, Fresh Faces Included
Babar Azam Left Out of the Squad
One of the biggest surprises in the squad announcement is the exclusion of former captain Babar Azam. His recent struggles with form and strike rate have reportedly influenced the selectors’ decision to drop him from the squad. This marks a crucial shift in Pakistan’s approach as they gear up for the T20 World Cup next year.
Mohammad Rizwan Loses Captaincy
Mohammad Rizwan, who previously led Pakistan in the T20I format, has also been relieved of his captaincy duties following the team’s underwhelming performance in the ICC Champions Trophy. However, he remains an integral part of the squad.
Young Players Get a Chance
Pakistan’s new squad features several young and promising talents, signaling a strategic move towards long-term squad development. Among the new faces are Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, and Omair Bin Yousuf, who will have the opportunity to showcase their skills on the international stage.
Pakistan’s Bowling Attack for NZ T20Is
Pakistan has retained a strong bowling unit for the series, with Shaheen Afridi leading the pace attack. He will be joined by the likes of Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, and Sufiyan Muqeem. This mix of experienced and emerging bowlers is expected to provide a balanced attack against New Zealand.
Pakistan’s Full Squad for New Zealand T20Is
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Agha Salman (C)
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Shadab Khan (VC)
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Abdul Samad
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Hasan Nawaz
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Abrar Ahmed
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Haris Rauf
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Jahandad Khan
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Khushdil Shah
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Abbas Afridi
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Mohammad Ali
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Mohammad Haris
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Irfan Khan
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Omair Bin Yousuf
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Shaheen Afridi
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Sufiyan Muqeem
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Usman Khan
Pakistan’s Road to the T20 World Cup
With the ICC T20 World Cup on the horizon, Pakistan’s selection committee appears focused on experimenting with new combinations to establish a strong core team. This series against New Zealand will be a crucial test for the fresh faces in the squad and provide insight into Pakistan’s strategy leading up to the global event.
Related Article: Pakistan’s Cricket News
What’s Next for Babar Azam?
Babar Azam’s exclusion from the squad raises questions about his role in Pakistan’s future T20 plans. Despite his recent struggles, he remains one of the top batters in the format. Fans and cricket experts will be keenly watching how he responds to this setback and whether he makes a return before the T20 World Cup.
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