PCB takes MASSIVE decision, drops Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam for New Zealand T20Is

PCB drop Babar and Rizwan for New Zealand T20Is

Skipper Mohammad Rizwan and experienced batter Babar Azam were both dropped by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the upcoming 5-match T20I series against New Zealand. Salman Ali Agha will replace Rizwan as captain of the T20I side and recalled all-rounder Shadab Khan will be his deputy.

Despite a dismal performance in the Champions Trophy, Rizwan has been retained as captain of the ODI side. The selectors have surprisingly not decided to go for a squad overhaul in the one-day squad and have retained majority of the players who featured in the ongoing ICC event.

Babar has also been retained in the ODI squad, however experienced seamers Haris Rauf and Shaheen Afridi have both been axed. Pakistan will also be without openers Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, who are yet to recover from their injuries.

Saud Shakeel and Kamran Ghulam have also been removed from the ODI squad to make way for youngsters. It will be interesting to see how the Men in Green will perform in 5-match T20I series and the 3-match ODI series which will be played against New Zealand from March 16.

Pakistan squad for New Zealand ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan (C), Salman Ali Agha (VC), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam ul Haq, Khushdil Shah, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Wasim, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir

Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is: Salman Ali Agha (C), Shadab Khan (VC), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Muhammad Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, SufIyan Muqeem, Usman Khan