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[PICTURE] Which players should be part of Pakistan's squad for the New Zealand Tour 2025?

The Bald Eagle

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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to rest senior players including captain Mohammad Rizwan for the New Zealand tour after the side’s early exit from the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025, ARY News reported, citing sources.

The defending champions were knocked out of the tournament after losing successive games to New Zealand and India.

They ended the tournament at the bottom of Group A with a point after their last fixture against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain in Rawalpindi.

Following their dismal outing in the Champions Trophy 2025, several former cricketers and fans blasted senior players including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi for failing to perform on the big stage.

Calls were made to the Pakistan Cricket Board to move on from senior players and give chances to youngsters in the upcoming fixtures.

Amid the criticism of the Pakistan team, the PCB has decided to rest senior players including white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan.

Sources said that the decision was made following the side’s poor outing in the Champions Trophy 2025.

The Pakistan Cricket Board will decide on the appointment of a new captain for the tour in due time in the absence of Rizwan, they added.

It is to be noted here that Pakistan’s tour of New Zealand will run from March 16 to April 5, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs.

The T20I series will commence with the first game in Christchurch on March 16, followed by the second match in Dunedin on March 18.

The third match will be played in Auckland on March 21, while the fourth and fifth games are scheduled on March 23 and 26, respectively.

Following the conclusion of the T20I series, the teams will travel to Napier for the first ODI, scheduled for March 29.

The two sides will face off in the second ODI on April 2 in Hamilton, while the third and final ODI will be played in Mount Maunganui on April 5.

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Since we are in reboot mode, therefore these 8 games should be used to check the calibre of players, regardless its a t20 or ODI , allow them to play their natural game without any pressure or influence.

Openers
Usman Khan+ , OBY, Ab Shafiq

Middle order
Saud, KG , TT

Allrounders

Agha c, Khusdil, A Jamal, Jehandad

Bowlers

Sufyan, WasimJr. Akif J, Abrar, Hasnain
 
Rizwan Babar in team you have a problem

Rizwan Babar out of team you still have problem , the idiosyncratic approach needs to be curtailed
Idiosyncratic approach needs to be curtailed? What's so unconventional about this approach?
 
The biggest nonsense I have seen recently is how some posters think replacing the entire team will suddenly change our fortunes and the new players will start batting at 10 RPO on their debut lol :)

The next batch of players will be more mediocre than this lot and the cycle will continue forever..

Structural changes are required at grassroots levels such as coaching standards, training, mentorship, fitness and mental conditioning will all continue to lag and drag us down..
The PCB management will remain unchanged and PCB will react to the public backlash by cosmetic changes by dropping X, y and z player and sacking the coaching staff. But results will remain the same. Our only hope is an occasional miracle / fluke unless major structural changes occur in the next 5-10 years

It will definitely end in tears again come the Asia Cup and 2026 WorldT20 once Abbas, Dahani, Hasnain or whoever is asked to play will get hammered…again.

Bookmark this comment please
 
T20 squad

Saim Ayub
Khawaja Naffay
Omair Bin Yousuf
Irfan Khan
Salman Agha
Abdul Sammad
Mubasir Khan
Wasim Jnr
Naseem Shah
Abrar Ahmed
Akif Javed


Haseebullah
Sajid Khan
Maaz Sadaqat
Hassan Nawaz

Odi
Usman Khan
Saim Ayub
Saud Shakeel
Agha Salman
Irfan Khan
Khushdil
Mubasir
Abrar
Wasim Jnr
Naseem Shah
Akif Javed
 
Since we are in reboot mode, therefore these 8 games should be used to check the calibre of players, regardless its a t20 or ODI , allow them to play their natural game without any pressure or influence.

Openers
Usman Khan+ , OBY, Ab Shafiq

Middle order
Saud, KG , TT

Allrounders

Agha c, Khusdil, A Jamal, Jehandad

Bowlers

Sufyan, WasimJr. Akif J, Abrar, Hasnain
Need to remap the whole squad.
 
Pak fans have to remember that nz will play d /e squad as ipl will start. I don't know why pcb always tries to set up a series with nz in ipl season as nz won't bother at all.
 
Akif Javed instead of Rauf
Saim Ayub ahead of Imam
Fakhar ahead of Shakeel
Arafat Minhas ahead of one of Tayyab/Kamran

Nobody else can improve this team even an inch.
 
need to kick out or rest naseem and Haris as well, the results of the series should not be a concern, need to bring in new blood and test the bench, and players who have potential should be given a chance. The T20 world starts in Feb 2026, the prep needs to start now, from today, they need to think of plan B, C, and D. Thing do not always go as we planned example Saim and Fakhar being injured, need to be better prepared for situations like this because they can happen, and good teams with good management are always prepared.


If I had it my way this is the squad I would go with the following, and give everyone a chance to play regardless of results

T2O Series
Saim Ayub
Mohammad Haris (WK)
Yasir Khan
Kamran Ghulam
Salman Ali Agha (C)
Irfan Niazi
Abdul Sammad
Mubashir Khan
Wasim Jnr
Ali Raza
Sufiyan Muqeem
Akif Javed

Mohammad Huzaifa
Arafat Minhas
Haidar Ali
Abbas Afridi

I would rest Abrar for the T20 alone, just to make way for other spinners to be given a chance


ODI Squad

Omair Bin Yousuf
Saim Ayub
Saud Shakeel
Mohammad Haris (WK)
Salman Ali Agha
Irfan Khan
Mubashir Khan
Abrar Ahmed
Wasim Jnr
Hunain Shah
Ali Raza

Maaz Sadaqat
Qasim Akram
Arafat Minhas
Akif Javed
 
T20 squad
1)Saim
2)Haider Ali
3)Omair bin Yusuf
4)M.Haris(wk)
5)Irfan Niazi
6)Abdul samad
7)Arafat Minhas
8)Abbas Afridi
9)Naseem shah(C)
10)M.Ali
11)Sufiyaan Muqeem
ODI Squad
1)Saim
2)Haider Ali
3)Abdullah shafique
4)Tayyab Tahir
5)Haseebullah
6)Irfan Niazi
7)Agha salman
8)Amir jamal
9)Naseem shah(C)
10)Hassan Ali
11)Sufiyan muqeem
 
T20 squad
1)Saim
2)Haider Ali
3)Omair bin Yusuf
4)M.Haris(wk)
5)Irfan Niazi
6)Abdul samad
7)Arafat Minhas
8)Abbas Afridi
9)Naseem shah(C)
10)M.Ali
11)Sufiyaan Muqeem
ODI Squad
1)Saim
2)Haider Ali
3)Abdullah shafique
4)Tayyab Tahir
5)Haseebullah
6)Irfan Niazi
7)Agha salman
8)Amir jamal
9)Naseem shah(C)
10)Hassan Ali
11)Sufiyan muqeem
Saim is not available for t20is.
 
According to a Cricket Pakistan report, some of the team's biggest names, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, might be dropped due to their poor performances in the tournament. To avoid the embarrassment of being axed, these players are reportedly considering skipping the New Zealand tour altogether.
 
According to a Cricket Pakistan report, some of the team's biggest names, including Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, might be dropped due to their poor performances in the tournament. To avoid the embarrassment of being axed, these players are reportedly considering skipping the New Zealand tour altogether.
So let them skip this and then they can be dropped for the Asia cup
 
When I was thinking of this tour yesterday, I kind revamped the squad a bit. Like many I also dropped Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen, Naseem & Rauf. If Saim isn’t 100%, then don’t pick him.

I would also drop Faheem, Usman, Hasnain & Tayyab.

I would blood a new opener with Rohail Nazir/Mohammad Haris as WK. A experience of sorts middle order of Saud, Kamran & Agha Salman with Khushdil & Jamal in the lower order.

For bowlers I would go with Abbas Afridi, Khurram Shehzad & Akif Javed, Abrar Ahmad. For the rest of the squad, I would go with Mohammad Ali, Sufiyaan Muqeem, One of Nazir/Haris & maybe try Hussain Talat, Abdul Samad or Sahibzada Farhan.

So the XI could be (for ODI’s I might add)

1. An new opener, either Maaz Sadaqat or Hasan Nawaz
2. Rohail Nazir/Mohammad Haris (WK)
3. Saud Shakeel
4. Kamran Ghulam
5. Agha Ali Salman (C)
6. Khushdil Shah
7. Aamer Jamal
8. Abbas Afridi
9. Khurram Shehzad
10. Akif Javed
11. Abrar Ahmad
 
The White ball teams need to he built around these players
Saim Ayub
Omair Bin Yousaf
Saud Shakeel
Agha Salman( ODI)
Irfan Niazi
Akif Javed
Mubasir Khan (ODI)
Mohammed Haris (T20i)
Haseebullah (ODI)
 
Bookmark this comment please
You probably wrote something like “Rizwan, Babar and Shaheen will be the golden generation of Pakistan cricket, bookmark this comment” around 5 years ago too.
 
They can still field a decent side

Young
Fin Allan
Willamson
Mitchell
Latham
Chapman
Bracewell
Sodhi
Rourke
Henry
Jamieson
 
I would drop Babar, Rizwan, Shaheen, Saud for this tour.

Bring Arafat minhas, mehran, maaz sadaqat, mubasir, Qasim akram etc in the squad. Make young team and if we lose, we have no worries because we are building now.
 
A full team revamp will not change the team's fortune. However, if one or two players from the batch of youngsters emerge, they can be integrated with the senior players for the Asia Cup. Remember, India played numerous T20s and ODIs without their superstars, which led to the emergence of incredible talent—some became permanent players, while others strengthened the bench.

I hope they bring in Haider Ali; he is the most senior young batsman who suffered for playing with intent rather than focusing on his stats. He has the potential to be a top-tier T20 player. He should be a lower order batsman in T20.
 
My T20I squad.

1. Khawaja Nafay
2. Babar Azam
3. Haider Ali
4. Irfan Khan Niazi
5. Tayyab Tahir

6. Mohammad Harris
7. Haseebullah

8. Salman Ali Agha / Mubasir Khan
9. Shadab Khan
10. Arafat Minhas
11. Aamer Jamal
12. Jahandad Khan

13. Shaheen Afridi
14. Haris Rauf
15. Abbas Afridi

16. Sufyan Muqeem
 
Who is leaking inside news to Rashid Latif? Why does he have so much inside knowledge?
 
I would not be debuting Ali Raza yet. He's still learning the craft and playing domestic (importantly FC Cricket) has not yet developed much T20 skills.
 
shadab shouldnt be captain either.
Salman agha is vc,he should captaining not ttf shadab.
I would not be debuting Ali Raza yet. He's still learning the craft and playing domestic (importantly FC Cricket) has not yet developed much T20 skills.
 
Maaz Sadaqat google translation is “Maze of Truth”
 

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Shadab Khan as Captain , no wonder we continue in circles, what next Saqlain as Head Coach and MoYo as chief selector
 
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali isn’t buying the narrative of resting senior players. He said this during a show on a local channel:

“It will be said that Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi faced injustice in selection. You should tell them that we will not consider you for the T20I team.”
 
Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali isn’t buying the narrative of resting senior players. He said this during a show on a local channel:

“It will be said that Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi faced injustice in selection. You should tell them that we will not consider you for the T20I team.”
Why is Basit Ali ignoring his beloved SNGPL failed project Rizwan?
 
With Rizwan and Babar getting axed, alot of pundits and agents will have their rant show stopped.

We will see who will be their punching bag from now on 👊
 
“Domestic players have started getting respect. The chairman has decided that no superstar will get forgiveness now. Everyone will be held accountable and everyone's sanity will be restored.”
 
As per reports the Sasur-Damaad to take over for the inconsequential NZ TOUR.

Head Coach: Saqlain Mushtaq

Captain : Shadab Khan

Beat NZ 's C team and come out as Fake Messiah, perfect scenario
 
As per reports the Sasur-Damaad to take over for the inconsequential NZ TOUR.

Head Coach: Saqlain Mushtaq

Captain : Shadab Khan

Beat NZ 's C team and come out as Fake Messiah, perfect scenario
their c team beat is 4-1 last year lol 😂
 
It is still baffling why Maaz wasnt cosidered for u19 wc last year and u19 asia cup this year.
 
Good probable squad except the captain Shadab.
From no place in the side to a key position of authority. Classic Pak!

It seems few things will never change.
Well shadab is not going to be permanent captain at some stage rizwan will be back but i like the look of the squad alot of good spinners and young batsmen getting their chance.
 
Good probable squad except the captain Shadab.
From no place in the side to a key position of authority. Classic Pak!

It seems few things will never change.
This is such a joke and a blatant PR move, that I honestly now believe this current management has no intention of improving Pakistan cricket.

Just chucking in a bunch of young players without any thought process as to what exactly it is we are supposed to improve upon.

Every single person in this list should know WHY he is replacing the current lot. Every. Single. Damn. Player.

Until they have defined roles and a clear mindset, we will just be repeating the same mediocrity cycle with different names.
 
No Babar, Rizwan or Shaheen on a fantasy NZ Tour?

Not gonna happen.

The chance to do sight seeing in NZ is too much to give up on.
 
Just seen the squad


Rip pakistan cricket

Squad full of parchis
 
wow NZ vs Pakistan you guys play each other every month or what? 24 internationals against them in the last 2 years. NExt best is 10 against Australia.
 
Media Reports

Pakistan ODI Squad for New Zealand Tour
Aqib Javed Head (Coach)
Mohammad Yousuf (Batting Coach)
Azhar Mehmood ( Bowling Coach)
Mohammad Masroor (Fielding Coach)

1- Salman Ali Agha
2- Mohammad Rizwan
3- Babar Azam
4- Imam Ul Haq
5- Abdullah Shafique
6- Tayyab Tahir
7- Irfan Khan
8- Khushdil Shah
9- Mohammad Wasim
10- Naseem Shah
11- Akif Javed
12- Mohammad Ali
13- Abrar Ahmed
14- Sufyan Muqeem
15- Faheem Ashraf
 
Media Reports

Pakistan ODI Squad for New Zealand Tour
Aqib Javed Head (Coach)
Mohammad Yousuf (Batting Coach)
Azhar Mehmood ( Bowling Coach)
Mohammad Masroor (Fielding Coach)

1- Salman Ali Agha
2- Mohammad Rizwan
3- Babar Azam
4- Imam Ul Haq
5- Abdullah Shafique
6- Tayyab Tahir
7- Irfan Khan
8- Khushdil Shah
9- Mohammad Wasim
10- Naseem Shah
11- Akif Javed
12- Mohammad Ali
13- Abrar Ahmed
14- Sufyan Muqeem
15- Faheem Ashraf
I heard there will be no babar imam so lets see who makes it
 

So Aqib Javed to continue, MoYo roped in as expected , being part of musical chair he is, Rizwan to continue as ODI captain and Shadab Khan out of nowhere becomes T20 captain.
 
Pakistan team has begun preparations for the T20 series against New Zealand.

The T20 squad's practice session is underway at the LCCA Ground.

Before the practice session, players participated in warm-up drills.

Batters practiced against spinners, fast bowlers, and throwdowns.

The five-match series between Pakistan and New Zealand will begin on March 16.

 
So the Nz series will feature a new batch of players which include Jahandad Khan, Abdul Samad, Irfan Niazi, Sufiyan Muqeem and other players

I find them to be quite exciting but as i dont really watch first class cricket, so guys who have been watching them how you rate them
 
So the Nz series will feature a new batch of players which include Jahandad Khan, Abdul Samad, Irfan Niazi, Sufiyan Muqeem and other players

I find them to be quite exciting but as i dont really watch first class cricket, so guys who have been watching them how you rate them
Among these 4 players only Niazi plays FC and has somewhat experience. Rest are just focused on T20 format.
 
Sarfaraz Ahmed shared following thoughts in a media talk on a young team for the upcoming NZ series:

"It is good that a young team is heading to New Zealand for the upcoming series. A young team has been formed with some senior boys in T20. Hopefully they will be better in ODIs.

White ball cricket is always considered very tough so I look at it the same way as you all think about T20 cricket.

People sit in the media and say things like this or that young boy should be given a chance in the team and I think at the moment all those boys who are part of such discussion are part of the team.

Affording youngsters a chance in the team for the upcoming series is a good initiative by the cricket board.

The boys who are performing consistently will get a chance in the future so that they can move ahead and represent Pakistan better.

Some old cricketers criticize players and selectors for the failure of the team but they should bear in mind that no selector, coach or team captain form such a combination who are bound to fail in a tournament."
 
Sarfaraz Ahmed shared following thoughts in a media talk on a young team for the upcoming NZ series:

"It is good that a young team is heading to New Zealand for the upcoming series. A young team has been formed with some senior boys in T20. Hopefully they will be better in ODI.

White ball cricket is always considered very tough so I look at it the same way as you all think about T20 cricket.

People sit in the media and say things like this or that young boy should be given a chance in the team and I think at the moment all those boys who are part of such discussion are part of the team.

Affording youngsters a chance in the team for the upcoming series is a good initiative by the cricket board.

The boys who are performing consistently will get a chance in the future so that they can move ahead and represent Pakistan better.

Some old cricketers criticize players and selectors for the failure of the team but they should bear in mind that no selector, coach or team captain form such a combination who are bound to fail in a tournament."
sounds volume of his character and leadership focus... The only former player with more sense and zero ego , puts pakistan team first..

Unfortunately he was dumped for a nothing captain like Babar by a nothing captain Misbah , but yes Sarfraz should also to blame himself for that because of his hiding in the batting order.. He once who played a fantastic knock of 100 in England to win an ODI while chasing at no.4 is one of those inns that played part in earning him the captaincy seat but then after becoming captain he kinda pushed himself down till no.8 which is way too deep and also his fitness went down for a keeper drastically with age , he should have made himself a batsman and handed gloves to Rizwan.... If he had focussed a little bit on those two would have gone a long way... He is a perfect player to play at no.4 in ODIs , unlike Rizwan who struggles to put bat on ball against spinners... Even today i would take him as captain if he is willing to bat at no.4 provided he passes his fitness and keeping tests..
 
Pakistan cricket team in New Zealand

Pakistan T20 squad's camp underway at LCCCA Ground Lahore

The Pakistan squad participated in a scenario-based practice match on the third day of the camp.

In the scenario-based match, the coaches gave different targets to the players.

Batters batting in a Sanrio-based match

The bowlers did a great job in bowling

Players take part in a warm-up session before the match.

Tomorrow is the last day of the Pakistan camp.

The national squad will practice from 8 pm to 11 pm tomorrow.
 
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