March 15, 2025: Pakistan is all set to take on New Zealand in a five-match T20 series followed by three ODI matches, with the series set to begin on March 16 at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch. The series comes as an exciting new chapter for the Pakistani team, with Salman Agha taking over as the newly appointed T20I captain. Agha has emphasized the need for Pakistan to play “fearless” and “high-risk cricket,” a strategy that he believes is vital for modern-day T20 cricket.
Pakistan’s squad has undergone significant changes, as key players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been left out for this series due to their slower strike rates in T20s. The team is now looking forward to giving fresh opportunities to young talent, though it might be a tough challenge facing New Zealand, the runner-ups of the CT 2025. Saim Ayub remains unavailable due to injury, further testing the capabilities of this new-look Pakistani squad.
New Zealand, led by Michael Bracewell due to Mitchell Santner’s IPL commitments, is also dealing with some absences. Key players like Kane Williamson are missing from the team, but they are bolstered by the return of fast bowler Matt Henry, who had been absent during the Champions Trophy final against India.
The conditions at Hagley Oval are known to favor the batsmen, with teams that bat second having a higher success rate in T20 internationals. This could be a critical factor for both teams as they face off in what promises to be an exciting clash.
Ahead of the match, Michael Bracewell spoke about the challenges posed by Pakistan’s new squad, acknowledging that they have several fresh faces whose capabilities are yet to be fully revealed. He emphasized that New Zealand would focus on their own plans and strategies, ensuring they are well-prepared for any challenge.
Salman Agha, who has been entrusted with leading the Pakistani side, shared his thoughts on the new approach the team will adopt. He stated, “We have a new side, and we want to play fearless cricket. High-risk cricket is required in modern-day cricket. There will be failures with that approach, but we have to support our players.”
The fresh perspective brought by this new squad could lead to exciting cricket as the two sides look to make their mark in the T20 series, with the ODIs following afterward.
Squads:
New Zealand: Tim Robinson, Tim Seifert(w), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, James Neesham, Michael Bracewell(c), Ish Sodhi, Jacob Duffy, Ben Sears, Kyle Jamieson, William O’Rourke, Mitchell Hay
Pakistan: Omair Yousuf, Usman Khan(w), Abdul Samad, Mohammad Haris, Khushdil Shah, Salman Agha(c), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan