Following Pakistan’s disastrous ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) appears to be making major changes to the team for the upcoming T20 series against New Zealand. Reports suggest that Shadab Khan is likely to be named captain, while former cricketer Mohammad Yousuf is set to take over as head coach.
Reactionary Changes Raise Concerns
The team restructuring has sparked criticism, with many analysts arguing that the overhaul lacks strategic planning. While some welcome the fresh start, others believe the decisions are reactionary and lack long-term vision.
Pakistan’s Likely Squad for T20 Series Against New Zealand
The squad is expected to feature a mix of experienced players and emerging talent:
Batsmen & All-rounders
- Shadab Khan (c)
- Muhammad Haris
- Umair bin Yousuf
- Khushdil Shah
- Hassan Nawaz
- Abdul Samad
- Usman Khan
- Hussain Talat
Bowlers
- Shaheen Afridi
- Haris Rauf
- Abbas Afridi
- Jahandad Khan
- Abrar Ahmed
- Mohammad Ali
- Sufiyan Muqeem
- Irfan Khan Niazi
Balancing Youth with Experience
While Pakistan’s bowling attack remains strong with Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, the batting lineup raises concerns. Critics question who will anchor the innings in high-pressure moments, especially with several young and inexperienced players in the squad.
The decision to introduce fresh talent is a step towards building a strong squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, but experts warn against rushing raw talent into competitive international cricket without proper mentorship and stability.
READ MORE: Pakistan Expected to Celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr on March 31, 2025
As the series against New Zealand approaches, the focus will be on striking the right balance between youth and experience to ensure a competitive performance.
