Pakistan’s new T20I captain Salman Agha keen to lead young squad against New Zealand
Salman Ali Agha is eager to turn around Pakistan's disappointing Champions Trophy performance as preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup begin.
After a disappointing outing in the Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan now head to New Zealand for a white-ball tour featuring five T20Is and three One-Day Internationals.
With the T20 World Cup scheduled for next year and the Asia Cup set to take place later this year, Pakistan have opted for a young T20I squad led by newly-appointed captain Salman Ali Agha.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS: When Pakistan and New Zealand faced off in the Champions Trophy 2025 opener
Young, Latham tons power New Zealand to victory over Pakistan | Match Highlights | Champions Trophy 2025
Pakistan will be without Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman due to injury, but they have included three uncapped players – Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Ali – who earned call-ups to the national side after impressing in recent domestic events.
Speaking about the squad ahead of the series, Agha said, as stated via PCB, “We have some young players in the side, and it is an opportunity for them to showcase their talent at the international level after performing well in domestic cricket.”
Salman Ali Agha, who led Pakistan to a 2-1 series win against Zimbabwe in his debut series as captain, expressed confidence ahead of the New Zealand tour.
“The team's preparations are going well, and we will try to produce better results in New Zealand,” he said.
In 44 T20I matches between the two sides, Pakistan hold the edge with 23 wins, while New Zealand have won 19 encounters. The last time they faced each other in a T20I series was in 2024, just before the T20 World Cup, which ended in a 2-2 stalemate.
WATCH: Salman Agha fights fire with fire against New Zealand in Champions Trophy 2025
Salman Agha fights fire with fire | PAK v NZ | Champions Trophy 2025
T20I Squad - Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan, 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.
ODI Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Irfan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir.
New Zealand v Pakistan – Schedule
1st T20I – 16 March, Christchurch
2nd T20I – 18 March, Dunedin
3rd T20I – 21 March, Auckland
4th T20I – 23 March, Mount Maunganui
5th T20I – 26 March, Wellington
1st ODI – 29 March, Napier
2nd ODI – 2 April, Hamilton
3rd ODI – 5 April, Mount Maunganui