Sources suggest that Pakistan’s T20 captain Muhammad Rizwan is expected to be removed from his leadership role as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) prepares for significant changes ahead of the upcoming tour of New Zealand.
Reports indicate that Salman Ali Agha and Muhammad Haris are being considered as potential replacements for the T20 captaincy. Additionally, several senior players, including Rizwan and Babar Azam, are unlikely to be part of the T20 squad for the series.
The PCB is also looking to introduce fresh faces in the One Day International (ODI) squad, with fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf expected to be left out. Instead, wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Haris is likely to be included, along with young pacers Akif Javed and Muhammad Wasim Jr.
Journalist Qadir Khawaja shared on social media that both Babar Azam and Rizwan would be excluded from the T20 squad, while Haris, Shaheen, and possibly Naseem Shah would not be part of the ODI squad. He further stated that players such as Akif Javed, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Wasim Jr., and Muhammad Haris are expected to feature in the T20 lineup.
Meanwhile, all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Khushdil Shah are likely to retain their places in the national team.
Although these squad changes have not been officially confirmed by the PCB, an announcement regarding the final T20 and ODI squads for the New Zealand tour is expected soon.
