Pakistan cricket has once again grabbed headlines, and this time, it’s for a massive shake-up in the T20I squad. Star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been dropped from the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand.
Instead, Salman Ali Agha has been given the captaincy, with Shadab Khan as his deputy.
So, what’s the reason behind this major decision? Is this the beginning of a new era, or is Pakistan taking a big risk by sidelining two of its most experienced batters? Let’s dive in.
Why Were Babar & Rizwan Dropped?
Interim head coach Aqib Javed addressed the big question during a press conference in Lahore. He made it clear—this is not a permanent exclusion. Instead, the focus is on building a new T20I mindset and injecting young blood into the squad.
“Look, this is never the case that a player is completely ruled out. But right now, we feel that we need to bring in young blood into the team and change our style of play and mindset,” Aqib explained.
Read More: Salman Ali Agha To Lead Pakistan T20I Squad Against New Zealand
Pakistan is looking to follow the approach of other teams that separate their T20I and ODI squads. Aqib stressed that the goal is to finalize a core group of 24-25 players for the 2025 Asia Cup and 2026 T20 World Cup, ensuring they stick to a specific style of play.
A Short-Lived Captaincy for Rizwan
For those who may have missed it, Mohammad Rizwan was appointed Pakistan’s white-ball captain in October 2024. However, his stint as T20I skipper didn’t last long—he led the team in just five T20Is and lost all of them.
With Pakistan looking for a fresh start in the shortest format, the selectors have handed the reins to Salman Ali Agha. Rizwan, however, remains in charge of the ODI team, with Babar also retaining his spot in the 50-over format.
Is This the Right Call?
This decision has sparked a heated debate among fans and experts. On one hand, Pakistan’s T20I approach has been criticized for being too conservative.
Despite their talent, Babar and Rizwan have often faced scrutiny for their strike rates in the powerplay, which some argue slows down the team’s momentum.
Read More: Is Shadab Khan The Right Choice To Lead Pakistan?
On the other hand, dropping two of Pakistan’s most experienced batters just months before major tournaments is a bold—and potentially risky—move.
There’s no guarantee that the younger players will instantly deliver, especially in tough overseas conditions like New Zealand.
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