Ex-Pakistan keeper wants Shadab Khan to lead in NZ series, lists youngsters who can make cut

Mohammad Rizwan’s Pakistan was poor in the Champions Trophy, where they lost two matches, while BAN encounter was washed out.

The Pakistani team has just been ousted from the Champions Trophy, and there is a white-ball series vs New Zealand coming up already. But then, after a poor show at the home tournament, experts have called for wholesale changes in the squad for the next series. In fact, former Pakistan skipper Rashid Latif went on to name numerable players who can be part of the squad.

Rashid Latif Leaves out Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan

For New Zealand T20 squad new players under consideration

Hassan Nawaz
Ali Raza
Abdul Samad
Akif javed
Muhammad Nafay

Others probables

Shadab khan probably Captain
Muhammad haris
Sufyan Muqeem
Arafat Minhas
Irfan khan Niazi
Zaman khan
Mohammad Wasim
Abbas Afridi…

— Rashid Latif | 🇵🇰 (@iRashidLatif68) March 1, 2025

It is important to note that senior players in the team — Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf — all were poor in the Champions Trophy. As per Rashid Latif, youngsters like Hassan Nawaz, Ali Raza and Muhammad Nafay should be given a chance.

The veteran also went on to suggest that all-rounder Shadab Khan might lead the side that is struggling for form big time. Meanwhile, his list also included the likes of some of the players — who are part of CT 2025 — Abrar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah.. and more.

Talking about Pakistan’s campaign at Champions Trophy — Babar Azam returned with scores of 68 and 23, but his strike-rate was a big issue. Mohammad Rizwan was ordinary with the bat and his leadership skills. Haris Rauf was excessively expensive and his economy was always over 6.

Pakistan Squad for CT 2025: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Babar Azam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Tayyab Tahir, Faheem Ashraf, Khushdil Shah, Salman Ali Agha, Usman Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi.