Pakistan has dropped ace batter Babar Azam and Muhammad Rizwan from its T20I squad for the New Zealand tour where the greenshirts will play five T20 Internationals, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Addressing a news conference in Lahore on Tuesday, head coach Aqib Javed announced that all-rounder Agha Salman will be the new captain of the T20 team with Shadab Khan as his deputy.
Wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan will continue to captain Pakistan’s ODI side.
“It’s a great honour and also a challenge. in T20s, it’s a youngster-oriented team. We want to improve our approach and intent. We want to adapt to the changing nature of the format till the World Cup. We want to play fearless cricket,” said newly-appointed T20I captain Agha.
The announcement also highlighted the inclusion of four players — Hassan Nawaz, Akif Javed, Mohammad Ali, and Abdul Samad — based on their impressive performances in domestic cricket.
For the coaching staff, Aqib Javed will serve as the interim head coach for the New Zealand tour, while Mohammad Yousuf has been appointed as the batting coach.
Pakistan’s team will travel to New Zealand for a series of five T20 International matches and three One-Day Internationals, which will take place from March 16 to April 5.
Pakistan ODI Squad:
Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim, Irfan Niazi, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir.
Pakistan T20I Squad
Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Irfan Khan Niazi, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Moqim, Usman Khan.
Aqib Javed accepts responsibility
National Cricket Team head coach Aqib Javed on Tuesday accepted responsibility for the team’s poor performance in the ICC Champions Trophy.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore with Salman Ali Agha sitting alongside him, Aqib said he accepted responsibility for the team’s dismal performance during the tournament.
He stressed the need for introducing new faces in the team. “We changed team coaches several times which dented the team’s performance.”
Aqib said the same team’s victories in series against Australia and South Africa lifted the spirits. “One thing which hurts us the most is a defeat at the hands of India.”
The head coach also said there were not enough grounds in the country.