Pakistan Cricket: Pakistan cricket finds itself at a crossroads after a dismal ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign, where they failed to secure a single victory. With an eye on rebuilding for the future, the selectors have surprised the World by dropping Mohammad Rizwan and Babar Azam out of the T20I side.
PCB have announced the squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, featuring five T20Is and three ODIs in mid-March. Notably, star batter Babar Azam and skipper Mohammad Rizwan have been left out of the T20I squad, a decision that raises questions about their role in the shortest format.
While both players remain part of the ODI setup, their absence from the T20I side suggests a potential shift in strategy, possibly influenced by concerns over their strike rates in white-ball cricket. Is this the beginning of a new era for Pakistan's T20I team or just a temporary experiment?
<h2>Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan Stats in T20Is</h2>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 79.8186%; height: 108.516px;" border="1"><colgroup><col style="width: 23.1863%;"><col style="width: 6.96568%;"><col style="width: 6.26334%;"><col style="width: 9.95733%;"><col style="width: 8.3926%;"><col style="width: 9.10384%;"><col style="width: 8.10811%;"><col style="width: 9.81508%;"><col style="width: 6.82788%;"><col style="width: 11.3798%;"></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 36.1719px;">
<td>Player</td>
<td>Mat</td>
<td>Inngs</td>
<td>Runs</td>
<td>Avg</td>
<td>SR</td>
<td>100s</td>
<td>50s</td>
<td>4s</td>
<td>6s</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 36.1719px;">
<td>Babar Azam</td>
<td>128</td>
<td>121</td>
<td>4223</td>
<td>39.83</td>
<td>129.22</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>36</td>
<td>447</td>
<td>73</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 36.1719px;">
<td>Mohammad Rizwan</td>
<td>106</td>
<td>93</td>
<td>3414</td>
<td>47.41</td>
<td>125.37</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>30</td>
<td>285</td>
<td>95</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h2>The Strike Rate Debate: Why Were Babar and Rizwan Dropped?</h2>
While Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been among the most consistent run-scorers for Pakistan in T20Is, their approach has often come under scrutiny. The modern T20 game demands high strike rates, especially during the powerplay, where teams aim to maximize scoring opportunities.
Since 2022, both Babar and Rizwan have had relatively lower strike rates compared to top openers from other leading teams. Their cautious starts have often led to criticism, as Pakistan has struggled to post imposing totals in high-scoring matches.
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202412/image_430x256_6764e6f55e630.jpg" alt="">
In current times, these two players have been in the top five of the players with the worst strike rate in the T20I format.
<table class="table" dir="ltr" border="1" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" data-sheets-root="1" data-sheets-baot="1" style="width: 69.161%; height: 120px;">
<tbody>
<tr style="height: 20px;">
<td style="width: 48.2771%; height: 20px;">Player</td>
<td style="width: 28.0795%; height: 20px;">Country</td>
<td style="width: 23.6459%; height: 20px;">Strike-rate</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;">
<td style="width: 48.2771%; height: 20px;">Pathum Nissanka</td>
<td style="width: 28.0795%; height: 20px;">Sri Lanka</td>
<td style="width: 23.6459%; height: 20px;">121.15</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;">
<td style="width: 48.2771%; height: 20px;">Mohammad Rizwan</td>
<td style="width: 28.0795%; height: 20px;">Pakistan</td>
<td style="width: 23.6459%; height: 20px;">122.26</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;">
<td style="width: 48.2771%; height: 20px;">Andy Balbirnie</td>
<td style="width: 28.0795%; height: 20px;">Ireland</td>
<td style="width: 23.6459%; height: 20px;">122.34</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;">
<td style="width: 48.2771%; height: 20px;">Babar Azam</td>
<td style="width: 28.0795%; height: 20px;">Pakistan</td>
<td style="width: 23.6459%; height: 20px;">127.34</td>
</tr>
<tr style="height: 20px;">
<td style="width: 48.2771%; height: 20px;">Litton Das</td>
<td style="width: 28.0795%; height: 20px;">Bangladesh</td>
<td style="width: 23.6459%; height: 20px;">128.36</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Pakistan’s interim head coach, Aaqib Javed, has emphasized the need for a more aggressive style in T20 cricket. “We need to play fearless and aggressive cricket in the T20 format and that’s why we have brought in new players,” he said.
“Nowadays teams are scoring over 200 in T20 cricket. We also need batters who could utilize the first six overs of the batting powerplay and play big shots.”
<img class="img-additional" src="https://admin.icccricketschedule.com/uploads/images/202412/image_430x256_6763b833eb401.jpg" alt="">
What Pakistan's head coach is talking about is totally understandable, as when the strike rates of these two players are compared to Indian openers, Babar and Rizwan stand nowhere close to Indian players.
<table border="1" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 100%;"><colgroup><col style="width: 50%;"><col style="width: 50%;"></colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Players</td>
<td>Strike Rate</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Abhishek Sharma</td>
<td>193.84</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Yashasvi Jaiswal</td>
<td>164.31</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Sanju Samson</td>
<td>162.09</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Rohit Sharma</td>
<td>142.81</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Shubman Gill</td>
<td>139.27</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
While their exclusion from the T20I squad suggests that Pakistan is looking beyond them in this format, it may not be the end of their T20I careers. Babar and Rizwan still bring immense experience, and if they can adapt their game to a more aggressive style, they could find a way back into the setup.
For now, Pakistan is betting on a younger, more attacking approach. The New Zealand tour will be a crucial test for the new-look squad, and if the fresh faces deliver, it might just mark the beginning of a new era in Pakistan’s T20 cricket.

Is the Pakistan Team Moving Past Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan in T20I?

Pakistan dropped Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from the T20I squad for New Zealand, prioritizing aggressive batting. Their low strike rates prompted this shift, with Salman Ali Agha leading a revamped, fearless squad.

NO Babar Azam, NO Rizwan! Is this the beginning of a new era for Pakistan's T20I team? Check the in-depth analysis of their removal from the T20I squad.

is-the-pakistan-team-moving-past-babar-azam-and-mohammad-rizwan-in-t20i-

Nine players of the Pakistan National Cricket Team's ODI squad have begun preparations for the forthcoming three-match ODI series versus New Zealand (NZ), with a training camp being held at the Lahore City Cricket Association (LCCA) ground.
The training camp, organized by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) commenced yesterday and will culminate on Friday, 21st of March. The likes of captain Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Abdullah Shafique, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Tayyab Tahir, Akif Javed, Naseem Shah and Faheem Ashraf are taking part in the traning camp.
Training Video: https://x.com/TheRealPCB/status/1902490176519336243
The ODI squad of the Shaheens will depart for New Zealand on Sunday, 23rd of March, with the three-match One Day International series scheduled to be played from the 29th of March to the 5th of April. The National team is currently taking part in the five-match T20I series versus the Kiwis, trailing 2-0.
<h2>Pakistan's T20I squad arrive in Auckland for the third match versus New Zealand</h2>
The T20I squad of Pakistan, captained by Salman Ali Agha, have arrived in Auckland ahead of the third T20 International match of ongoing five-match series versus the Michael Bracewell-led New Zealand. The Green Shirts reached the city of Auckland from Dunedin on Wednesday night for the third match, scheduled to take place at the iconic Eden Park stadium tomorrow on the 21st of March.
The ongoing T20I series is led 2-0 by the Blackcaps, thanks to their dominating wins in the first two matches. In the opening match of the series, the home side secured a one-sided nine wicket win over the Shaheens, while in the second T20I which was affected by rain, they went on to secure a five-wicket victory.
The fortcoming third T20 International match is a must-win one for the Salman Ali Agha-led team as yet another defeat would end their chances of winning the series. The national squad will practice for three hours at Eden Park ahead of the third T20I.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/ipl-2025-csk-vs-mi-indian-t20-skipper-suryakumar-yadav-set-to-lead-mi-versus-csk-in-the-absence-of-hardik-pandya/">IPL 2025 CSK vs MI: Indian T20 skipper Suryakumar Yadav set to lead MI versus CSK in the absence of Hardik Pandya</a>

PAK vs NZ 3rd T20 2025: Pakistan's ODI squad have started training for the New Zealand ODI series | Image: X (PCB)

PAK vs NZ 3rd T20 2025: Pakistan's cricket team is actively preparing for upcoming matches against New Zealand. The ODI squad is in a Lahore training camp, while the T20I team, down 2-0, faces a crucial third match in Auckland. Both teams are focused on improving their performance against the Kiwis.

Watch: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan return as Pakistan begin training for New Zealand ODI series

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After the defeat in the Champions Trophy, Pakistan's captain Mohammad Rizwan was not made a part of the T20 team. He also spent this free time by doing his Haj pilgrimage and playing club Cricket. But with changing days, his and the team's fortunes did not change. He made a comeback in the One Day International series for the first time since the conclusion of the ICC Men's Champions Trophy 2025. But he again faced defeat in the first match.
In the first ODI of the three-match series played at McLean Park, New Zealand again defeated them by 73 runs. This is Pakistan's fourth consecutive defeat against the Kiwi team, first in the Tri Nation Series and then in the Champions Trophy. Mohammad Rizwan expressed his views after the disappointing defeat.
<blockquote>
In the post-match press conference, he said about the team's performance, "The way we started the second innings, we played with good intentions and did the necessary things to chase the target. We were close, but as the pressure increased, the course of the match changed in those crucial three to four overs."
Praising the initial performance of the bowlers, Rizwan said, "Our bowlers were brilliant in the beginning. They adapted themselves to the conditions of New Zealand and bowled brilliantly. The decision to bowl first was right. However, Chapman played brilliantly, which helped New Zealand score a competitive score. We need to improve further in taking advantage of important opportunities."
Describing the experience of the new players as positive, he said, "The inclusion of three new players today was very good for their development. Playing in the challenging conditions of New Zealand is a valuable experience." Despite the defeat, he expressed hope for the upcoming matches. "The outcome wasn't what we were hoping for, but we still have two more chances," Rizwan stated. "We'll reorganize and return more powerful".
</blockquote>
If we look at the condition of this match, despite the best efforts of Babar Azam and Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan lost by 73 runs. Chasing the target of 345 runs, Usman Khan (39) and Abdullah Shafiq (36) gave a strong start by sharing 83 runs. Babar (78) and Rizwan (30), who returned to the ODI team, tried to handle the innings, but Pakistan's innings faltered as soon as Babar was out in the 39th over.
Apart from Salman Ali Agha (58), no other batsman could survive and the team was reduced to 271 runs in 44.1 overs. Nathan Smith bowled brilliantly for New Zealand with figures of 4/60.
Earlier, Akif Javed's lethal bowling had reduced New Zealand to 50/3, but Chapman (132) and Mitchell's (76) 199-run partnership turned the match around. Both of them made a record partnership. After this, Mohammad Abbas finally scored 50 runs in 24 balls and took the team to 344/9. For Pakistan, Irfan Khan took 3 wickets, while Haris Rauf and Akif Javed took 2-2 wickets each.
Do Read: <a href="https://www.icccricketschedule.com/pak-vs-nz-muhammad-abbas-of-new-zealand-surpasses-india-s-krunal-pandya-and-creates-this-massive-record/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PAK vs NZ: Muhammad Abbas of New Zealand surpasses India's Krunal Pandya and creates this massive record</a>

Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team: Mohammad Rizwan Pakistan's ODI captain had a lot to say following his team's defeat | Image: X

Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team: Pakistan suffered a 73-run defeat in the first ODI against New Zealand, despite strong starts from Usman Khan (39) and Abdullah Shafique (36). Chasing 345, only Babar Azam (78) and Salman Ali Agha (58) showed resistance as Pakistan collapsed to 271. Earlier, Mark Chapman (132) and Daryl Mitchell (76) powered NZ to 344/9, with debutant Muhammad Abbas smashing a record 24-ball fifty. Captain Mohammad Rizwan admitted lapses under pressure but remained hopeful for the next matches. Nathan Smith (4/60) starred with the ball for NZ, while Irfan Khan (3 wickets) impressed for Pakistan.

Pakistan National Cricket Team vs New Zealand National Cricket Team: After Pakistan's 73-run defeat to New Zealand in the first ODI at McLean Park, captain Mohammad Rizwan acknowledged the team's struggles but remained optimistic. Despite a strong start from Usman Khan (39) and Abdullah Shafique (36), Pakistan faltered in their chase of 345, with only Babar Azam (78) and Salman Ali Agha (58) offering resistance. Rizwan praised the bowlers' early efforts but admitted lapses in crucial moments, crediting Mark Chapman’s 132 and Daryl Mitchell’s 76 for New Zealand’s strong total. He also highlighted the positive experience for debutants, emphasizing the need to improve in upcoming matches. Nathan Smith (4/60) led New Zealand's bowling attack, while Irfan Khan (3 wickets) and Akif Javed (2 wickets) stood out for Pakistan. Rizwan vowed a stronger comeback in the remaining matches.

What did Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan say following their defeat versus New Zealand in the 1st ODI

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mohammad rizwan pakistan