Pakistan has dropped star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan from their T20I squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand. This decision follows Pakistan's disappointing exit from the ICC Champions Trophy, where they failed to advance beyond the group stage. The changes aim to revitalize the team's T20I setup, which has faced criticism for its conservative approach at the top of the order.

Salman Agha has been appointed as the new captain of the T20I team, with Shadab Khan serving as vice-captain. The squad includes newcomers like Hasan Nawaz, Abdul Samad, and Omair Yousuf, reflecting a shift towards younger talent. Meanwhile, Rizwan retains his captaincy in the ODI format, where Babar Azam remains part of the squad. Shaheen Afridi, however, has been omitted from the ODI team.

These changes signal a strategic shift by the Pakistan Cricket Board to experiment with fresh faces and tactics ahead of future tournaments. The series against New Zealand will provide an opportunity for these new players to prove themselves on the international stage.