Pakistan vs New Zealand Archives

Pakistan team departs for Auckland ahead of third New Zealand T20I

Pakistan squad has departed for Auckland from Dunedin earlier today to partake in the third match of the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand, scheduled to be played on March 21.

The Green Shirts will undergo a practice session under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff at Eden Park tomorrow from 2 PM to 5 PM local time.

The players will engage in specialised drills, focusing on sharpening their batting, bowling, and overall fitness to fine-tune their skills as they look to bounce back from back-to-back defeats.

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For the unversed, after a crushing nine-wicket loss in the first T20I, Pakistan failed to defend 135 runs in the rain-affected second match, which was reduced to 15 overs per side.

It’s worth noting that following the third T20I, Pakistan and New Zealand will play the final two matches of the series in Mount Maunganui and Wellington on March 23 and 26, respectively.

Following the conclusion of the T20I series, the two sides will face off in a three-match ODI series. The first ODI is set for March 29 in Napier, followed by the second on April 2 in Hamilton, while Mount Maunganui will host the third and final match on April 5.

Pakistan T20I squad for New Zealand tour

T20Is: Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Usman Khan (wk)

READ: Umar Akmal reveals his role in helping Babar Azam countering spin bowling

Pakistan captain reflects on defeat in second T20I against New Zealand

DUNEDIN: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha acknowledged his team’s improvement in the second T20I against New Zealand but admitted that key areas still need work following a five-wicket defeat at University Oval here on Tuesday.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Agha noted that despite falling 2-0 behind in the series, there were positives to take from the game, particularly in the batting and fielding departments.

“It was freezing. But compared to the last game, this was a much better performance. We batted well, and our fielding was outstanding. The bowling had its moments too, but we need to adjust to the different bounce here,” Agha remarked.

Pakistan’s bowling struggled early on, as New Zealand’s openers ran riot during the powerplay. However, the skipper credited Haris Rauf and the rest of the attack for pulling things back later in the innings.

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“After the powerplay, we bowled well, and Haris was exceptional. But as a unit, we need to be better in the powerplay—both while bowling and batting,” he added.

After a crushing nine-wicket loss in the first T20I, Pakistan failed to defend 135 runs in the rain-affected second match, which was reduced to 15 overs per side. With the series now slipping away, Salman Ali Agha and his men have a lot to address before the third T20I.

It’s worth noting that the third T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand will be played in Auckland on March 21, while the final two matches are scheduled in Mount Maunganui and Wellington on March 23 and 26, respectively.

READ: Khushdil Shah fined for ICC Code of Conduct breach

New Zealand win rain-hit second T20I to take 2-0 lead over Pakistan

DUNEDIN: New Zealand secured a commanding five-wicket win over a struggling Pakistan team in a rain-affected second T20I at the University Oval here on Tuesday to take a 2-0 lead in the five-match series.

Chasing 136, the home team made light work of the target, thanks to an explosive 66-run opening stand between Tim Seifert and Finn Allen.

Seifert came out swinging, finding boundaries at will before falling for a blistering 45 off 22 balls—his dismissal bringing Mohammad Ali his maiden T20I wicket.

Allen, meanwhile, continued the onslaught, adding 21 runs with Mark Chapman before Jahandad Khan sent him packing for a 16-ball 38, leaving New Zealand at 87-2 in just 6.5 overs.

Pakistan found some respite as Mark Chapman (1) fell cheaply to Khushdil Shah, while Haris Rauf dismissed Jimmy Neesham (14), reducing New Zealand to 97-4 in 8.3 overs.

However, Daryl Mitchell and Mitchell Hay’s 35-run stand for the fifth wicket ensured there were no hiccups in the chase.

auf removed Mitchell (14) at the brink of victory, but skipper Michael Bracewell and Hay (21) finished things off comfortably with 11 balls to spare.

For Pakistan, Haris Rauf picked up two wickets, while Mohammad Ali, Khushdil Shah, and Jahandad Khan took one each.

Earlier, Pakistan’s batting frailties were once again exposed after rain reduced the match to 15 overs, as they crawled to 135 after being put into bat.

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The innings started in disastrous fashion with Hasan Nawaz falling for his second consecutive duck, dismissed by Jacob Duffy in the first over.

Mohammad Haris’ poor run continued as well, as Ben Sears removed him for 11, leaving Pakistan reeling at 19-2 in 3.1 overs.

Captain Agha Salman (46) and Irfan Khan (11) stitched a brief 31-run stand, but just as Pakistan looked to settle, Ish Sodhi struck in the seventh over, removing Irfan as well as new batter Khushdil Shah (2) in quick succession to reduce Pakistan to 52-4.

Despite the setbacks, Agha counterattacked, while vice-captain Shadab Khan chipped in with 24 runs before falling to Sears. Agha’s dismissal only worsened Pakistan’s woes, and Shadab, after briefly accelerating the innings, perished for 26 off 14, undone by Duffy.

The tail offered little resistance as Jahandad Khan fell for a duck, while Abdul Samad’s 11-run cameo was cut short by Neesham.

It was left to Shaheen Afridi (22) to provide some late fireworks, pushing Pakistan to a modest 135 in their allocated 15 overs.

For New Zealand, Duffy, Sears, Sodhi, and Neesham picked up two wickets each, ensuring Pakistan never got any momentum.

Pakistan XI: Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Agha Salman (c), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Abdul Samad, Khushdil Shah, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Ali.

New Zealand XI: Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Mitchell Hay (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Zakary Foulkes, Jacob Duffy, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears.

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Pakistan cricketer questions Shadab Khan’s selection for New Zealand tour

Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad has criticized Shadab Khan for his underwhelming performance in the first T20I against New Zealand, questioning the merit behind his selection in the squad.

Shadab, who made his comeback in the series as the vice-captain, had a forgettable outing in the series opener, scoring just 3 runs and failing to pick up a wicket in his two-over spell.

Speaking on a private TV channel, Ahmed Shehzad didn’t hold back in his assessment, demanding clarity on what warranted Shadab’s place in the squad.

“You’re talking about Shadab [Khan], but tell me, what performance has he put up? Who brought him onto the team? Let this series pass; the PCB has a different plan, and Shadab has been included in the team for a specific purpose,” Shehzad remarked.

Pakistan’s young squad suffered a humiliating nine-wicket defeat against New Zealand in the series opener at Hagley Oval on Sunday.

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After being put in to bat first, Pakistan endured a nightmare start as openers Mohammad Haris and Hasan Nawaz were dismissed for ducks. The collapse continued with Irfan Khan managing just a single run before his departure, leaving Pakistan reeling at 1/3 in 2.2 overs.

Khushdil Shah (32 off 34) and captain Salman Ali Agha (18 off 22) were the only batters to show some resistance, but their efforts were far from enough. Pakistan were bowled out for just 91 runs in 18.4 overs, marking their fifth-lowest total in T20Is.

New Zealand made light work of the chase, hunting down the target in just 12.1 overs, with 59 balls to spare—making this Pakistan’s worst defeat in terms of balls remaining in T20I history.

Their previous worst was against Australia in 2018, where they suffered a nine-wicket loss with 55 balls to spare.

READ: Imad Wasim questions Babar Azam’s promotion to ODI opening slot

Pakistan captain backs Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf to shine in New Zealand T20Is

Pakistan T20I captain Salman Ali Agha has thrown his support behind senior pacers Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, emphasizing their importance in the team’s quest for success in the five-match series against New Zealand, scheduled to commence tomorrow.

Shaheen and Haris have been under fire lately due to their below-par performances in Pakistan’s disastrous ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.

Consequently, they lost their place in the ODI squad for New Zealand, however, they were named in the T20I squad.

Salman Ali Agha, during the press conference ahead of the first T20I in Christchurch, acknowledged the recent form fluctuations of the experienced duo but remained confident in their ability to step up for Pakistan.

“Shaheen and Haris have been outstanding bowlers for Pakistan. Yes, form and performances go up and down in every cricketer’s career, but I believe both of them have a key role to play in this series,” he stated.

The 31-year-old, leading a relatively young squad, emphasized that the team is not in New Zealand just to experiment but to win.

“Fans are disappointed because we haven’t played the kind of cricket they expect from us. In fact, we haven’t even played the way we expect from ourselves. But just because we have a young side doesn’t mean it’s not a strong one. We are here to win,” Salman asserted.

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Pakistan’s squad for the series has seen some significant changes, with several senior players being rested.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, who have been key to Pakistan’s T20I setup for years, are not part of the squad as the selectors aim to test new combinations. Salman admitted that their absence is notable but stressed the importance of looking forward.

“There is no doubt that Babar and Rizwan have been exceptional for Pakistan, but for this series, we are trying to build a new combination,” he added.

“Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub will also be missed—they are match-winners on their day. But, Alhamdulillah, their injury progress is positive, and hopefully, they will return for the next series.”

The Pakistan captain further explained that the team is focused on long-term goals, including the Asia Cup 2025 and the T20 World Cup 2026.

“This series, and the ones coming up, are all part of our preparation for these major tournaments. We want to form a strong squad that can compete at the highest level in the coming years,” Salman remarked.

Pakistan T20I squad for New Zealand tour

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Pakistan squad carries out training session ahead of the first New Zealand T20I

CHRISTCHURCH: The Pakistan cricket team hit the ground running on Friday with their first training session after arriving here a day earlier as they gear up for the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, set to begin on March 16.

The session took place at Hagley Oval, where the players underwent an intense practice session under the watchful eyes of the coaching staff.

Focused on sharpening their batting, bowling, and overall fitness, the players engaged in a series of drills designed to fine-tune their skills ahead of the highly anticipated series.

The session began with warm-up exercises and fitness drills before the squad transitioned into specialized training aimed at enhancing match readiness.

Pakistan will continue their preparations tomorrow, with the next training session scheduled to begin at 1 PM local time.

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Notably, Pakistan T20I squad landed in Christchurch on Thursday to participate in the five-match series against New Zealand.

Led by newly appointed captain Salman Ali Agha, the squad took a day to rest before hitting the nets today to fine-tune their preparations.

Pakistan’s white-ball tour of New Zealand will kick off with the first T20I in Christchurch on March 16. The team will then travel to Dunedin for the second game on March 18.

The third T20I will be played in Auckland on March 21, while the final two matches are scheduled in Mount Maunganui and Wellington on March 23 and 26, respectively.

Pakistan squads for New Zealand tour

ODIs: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Akif Javed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr., Mohammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sufiyan Muqeem, Tayyab Tahir.

READ: PCB announces schedule of PSL 10 trophy tour

Haider Ali breaks silence on his exclusion from New Zealand tour

Pakistan batter Haider Ali has opened up about his exclusion from the national squad for the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand.

In a recent interview, the 24-year-old batter confirmed that a hand injury ruled him out of selection while revealing that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selectors had already communicated this to him.

“Due to a hand injury, I am not part of the squad for the New Zealand tour. The selectors had a discussion with me regarding this,” Haider said.

His omission came as a surprise to many, especially considering the young squad Pakistan has assembled for the series, with Salman Ali Agha leading the side as captain and Shadab Khan as his deputy.

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Interestingly, Haider Ali was recently part of the PCB’s Strike Force Camp, a 90-day program focused on power-hitting under the supervision of former all-rounder Abdul Razzaq.

The initiative is part of the PCB’s long-term plan to strengthen Pakistan’s T20 setup by grooming young players and addressing key performance areas.

It’s worth noting that Haider has represented Pakistan in 35 T20Is, accumulating 505 runs at an average of 17.41 and a strike rate of 124.69, including three half-centuries.

His last appearance in the shortest format for Pakistan came against Afghanistan in 2023.

READ: No Pakistani cricketers picked in The Hundred 2025 draft

Sarfaraz Ahmed defends Pakistan team, urges former players to criticize constructively

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has urged former cricketers to approach their criticism of the national team with more balance and understanding following the team’s disastrous ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.

The hosts and defending champions, Pakistan, crashed out of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 after successive defeats at the hands of New Zealand and India.

The Men in Green’s final group game against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain, leaving the 2017 edition winners without a win.

Following the team’s ouster from the tournament, many former cricketers criticized the current team, further intensifying the scrutiny on the squad.

Speaking on the current state of Pakistan cricket, Sarfaraz Ahmed pointed out that no team plays with the intention of losing, emphasizing that the criticism should always be balanced and fair.

“It is often said that the team didn’t play well. Former cricketers, management, and coaches know that no team plays to lose,” said Sarfaraz.

“When criticizing players, it’s important to maintain balance in the discussion. Those sitting on TV have also gone through those phases.”

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The former captain also touched on the contrast between playing and commenting on the game, reminding critics that attitudes change after retirement.

“There is a difference in attitude when playing and after retiring from the game,” he added.

Sarfaraz Ahmed also expressed hope that Pakistan’s young squad for the tour of New Zealand will come out victorious despite challenging conditions.

“The Pakistan team for the New Zealand tour consists of young players. I hope the results will be in our favor, but the conditions in New Zealand have always been challenging,” he added.

With the national team facing both external and internal challenges, Sarfaraz reminded fans to maintain their support for the players, especially during tough times.

“I would like to tell the nation that you have always supported the team. I urge you to continue standing by the team. I hope the future will bring good things for Pakistan cricket,” he concluded.

READ: Jason Gillespie slams Sunil Gavaskar’s ‘nonsense’ comment on Pakistan cricket team

Pakistan head coach explains Babar-Rizwan’s exclusion from T20I squad

Aqib Javed, the interim head coach of Pakistan, explained the reasons behind the exclusion of star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20I squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand.

Aqib, accompanied by newly appointed T20I captain Salman Ali Agha, announced two separate white-ball squads for the upcoming tour of New Zealand in Lahore today.

He announced that Rizwan would continue to lead the ODI team, but he was replaced by Salman in the T20I team, with Shadab Khan serving as the vice-captain. Meanwhile, Babar also retained his place in the ODI side.

During the press conference, Aqib Javed was asked about the exclusion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20I team.

In response, he clarified that no player has been permanently sidelined; rather, the current focus is on developing a new mindset within the T20I team.

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“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,” said Aqib.

He further explained how several teams have completely separated their T20I and ODI squads, and Pakistan is looking to adopt a similar approach.

“If you look at other teams, many have kept their T20I squads entirely separate [from ODIs],” he added.

“Our aim is to maintain a core group of 24-25 players leading up to the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup 2026, ensuring that we don’t go beyond this player pool and approach these tournaments with a specific mindset.”

For the unversed, Mohammad Rizwan was appointed Pakistan’s white-ball captain in October 2024, but his tenure as T20I skipper was short-lived as he led the team in just five T20Is, losing all of them.

Pakistan squads for New Zealand tour

READ: PCB provides major update on Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub’s injuries

PCB provides major update on Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub’s injuries

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has provided a crucial update on the injury status of opening batters Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, confirming that neither was considered for the upcoming white-ball series against New Zealand.

Saim Ayub has been on the sidelines since suffering a right ankle fracture during the Test series against South Africa in January, which ruled him out of the ongoing ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025.

Fakhar Zaman was included in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy squad but was forced out after sustaining an injury in the opening match against New Zealand on February 19 in Karachi. He is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.

According to the PCB, Fakhar suffered a left lower intercostal muscle sprain, while Saim is still recovering from his ankle injury.

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However, both are expected to regain full fitness in time for the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, which kicks off in Rawalpindi on April 11, 2025.

“Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were not considered for either format on medical advice,” PCB stated in a press release.

“Fakhar suffered a left lower intercostal muscle sprain during Pakistan’s ICC Champions Trophy 2025 opener against New Zealand, while Saim is recovering from a right ankle fracture sustained on the first day of the Cape Town Test against South Africa in January.

“Both are expected to be fully fit for the HBL Pakistan Super League 10, starting in Rawalpindi on 11 April 2025.”

READ: Mohammad Yousuf appointed as Pakistan’s batting coach ahead of New Zealand tour