After ICC Champions Trophy, World Cricket Shifts Gears To T20 International Showdowns

Key points

Pakistan had crashed out of the Champions Trophy 2025 after losses to India and New Zealand
New Zealand had also defeated Pakistan in the tri-nation series earlier this year
Mohammad Rizwan has been dropped as Pakistan’s T20I skipper
New Zealand will host Pakistan in a five-match T20I, three ODI series starting from March 16

ISLAMABAD: In a riveting sequel to their clash at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, Pakistan and New Zealand are set to square off once more, this time in a thrilling five-match T20I series, all taking place in the lush landscapes of New Zealand with young faces from both sides. The action starts on March 16 and will continue to unfold until March 26.

Following yet another disappointing chapter in the ICC saga, the Pakistan team is eager to wipe the slate clean. In a surprising shake-up, Mohammad Rizwan has been relieved of his duties as T20I captain, paving the way for Salman Ali Agha to take the helm.

Notably, both Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been benched from the T20 lineup, signalling a bold new direction for the squad.

New Zealand

New Zealand will be led by Michael Bracewell in their upcoming five-match T20I series against Pakistan, beginning in Christchurch on Sunday, (March 16).

Bracewell emerges as a key figure in Champions Trophy 2025, now joined by six fellow campaigners for the upcoming home series. Stepping in for Mitch Santner—who is unavailable due to domestic T20 obligations—Bracewell seizes the chance to lead his nation on familiar turf. Having previously captained the team during a white-ball tour in Pakistan last year, he eagerly anticipates the challenge of welcoming Pakistan for this series.

“It’s a tremendous honour and a genuine privilege to captain your country,” Bracewell expressed. “I thoroughly enjoyed leading the team in Pakistan, and it’s great to have so many players from that squad alongside us for this series.”

“My aim is to build on the solid foundation he’s laid and foster a positive atmosphere for the guys to thrive in.”

Bracewell is acutely aware of Pakistan’s formidable reputation as a dangerous short-form team brimming with power and pace, especially after their disappointment in the Champions Trophy.

Ish Sodhi returns to the group having missed the recent Sri Lanka home series, while Ben Sears comes back after tearing his hamstring which forced him out of the recent Champions Trophy campaign.

Kyle Jamieson and Will O’Rourke are available for first three games of the series as the team manage the fast bowlers’ workloads after the recent ICC event. Matt Henry, who finished as the leading wicket-taker at the tournament despite missing the final through injury, is named for matches four and five though will be subject to further fitness testing.

Finn Allen, Jimmy Neesham and Tim Seifert have also been included in the squad.

Selector Sam Wells says the side have one eye on next year’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka early next year. “We’re certainly starting to narrow our sights on the ICC T20 World Cup,” Wells said.

“We made it clear in our planning and communication with players that availability for that tournament and the build-up to it was required to be considered for this series against Pakistan.

“Half of this squad is only returning from the Champions Trophy on Wednesday and so we’re going to need to manage those players really carefully.

“It’s nice to be welcoming back the likes of Ish, Kyle and Ben after time away from our T20 set-up.”

Devon Conway, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Phillips, Bevon Jacobs and Rachin Ravindra are also unavailable due to their T20 playing commitments, with Kane Williamson also declaring himself unavailable.

Pakistan

As far as Pakistan is concerned, Salman Ali Agha has been named Pakistan’s T20I captain, with Shadab Khan as vice-captain, for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand from 16-26 March. Mohammad Rizwan will continue as ODI captain, with Salman serving as his deputy for the three 50-over matches scheduled at the backend of the tour from 29 March to 5 April.

The decision to appoint Salman and Shadab as T20I captain and vice-captain, respectively, has been made with an eye on two major upcoming tournaments – the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025 (September 2025) and the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (February/March 2026). Salman previously led Pakistan in a T20I series against Zimbabwe last year, winning 2-1.

In the T20I squad, there are three uncapped players – Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz and Mohammad Ali – while Akif Javed and Mohammad Ali the two players who have yet to debut in ODIs. The four players have been rewarded for their impressive performances in the Champions One-Day and T20 Cups.

In the Champions T20 Cup, Abdul Samad scored 115 runs at a strike-rate of 166.67 after aggregating 145 runs at a strike-rate of 122.88 in the Champions One-Day Cup. Likewise, Hasan Nawaz had a staller Champions T20 Cup, finishing as the second leading run-getter with 312 runs at a strike-rate of 142.47. Mohammad Ali with 22 wickets was the leading wicket-taker in Champions T20 Cup, while he took three wickets in the Champions One-Day Cup.

Aqib Javed will continue as interim head coach for the New Zealand tour. His original term was until the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, but he has been asked to extend his tenure while the search for a permanent head coach begins. Mohammad Yousuf has been appointed as batting coach.

New Zealand vs Pakistan: Head-to-Head in T20

New Zealand and Pakistan have faced each other in 44 matches in T20. Out of these 44 games, New Zealand have won 19 whereas Pakistan have come out victorious on 23 occasions. 2 matches ended without a result.

Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I Series: Here’s The Schedule

March 16, 2025: 1st T20I to be played at Hagley Oval, Christchurch from 6:45 AM

March 18, 2025: 2nd T20I to be played at University Oval, Dunedin from 6:45 AM

March 21, 2025: 3rd T20I to be played at Eden Park, Auckland from11:45 AM

March 23, 2025: 4th T20I to be played at Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui from 11:45 AM

March 26, 2025: 5th T20I to be played at Sky Stadium, Wellington from 11:45 AM

Three ODIs:

29 Mar – first ODI, McLean Park, Napier

2 Apr – second ODI, Seddon Park, Hamilton

5 Apr – third ODI, Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui

Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I Series: Here Are the Full Squads

New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Jacob Duffy, Zak Foulkes (matches 4-5), Mitch Hay, Matt Henry (matches 4-5), Kyle Jamieson (matches 1-3), Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke (matches 1-3), Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert, Ish Sodhi.

Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Jahandad Khan, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Haris, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousaf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim and Usman Khan.