After a disappointing performance in the Champions Trophy, the Pakistan National Cricket team is set to rest with senior players, including Babar Azam, making five to six changes to their upcoming tour of New Zealand.
Sources have revealed that Pakistan’s Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Nakvi recently visited the domestic cricket academy and will be involved with promising domestic players. The meeting, accompanied by an open exchange of opinions, NAQVI listened to the players’ concerns and expressed their hopes and challenges in the current cricket landscape.
Domestic players attending the meeting include Haider Ali, More’s Sadakath, Muhammad Suleman, Kawaja Nafi, Saad Masoud, Afaq Afridi, Mbasir Khan, Faisal Akram, Qasim Akram, Irfan Minhas, Mirza Tahir Baig, Muhadanyam Rezam and Muhada diam y Rezam.
Sources close to the PCB revealed that the final team on Pakistan’s upcoming tour to New Zealand will be selected from this group of 16 players.
The selection includes five to six young talents, and is expected to be set up by the current Select Committee to make a final decision.
The team’s announcement is expected within the next 3-4 days and marks the next step in preparing for Pakistan’s international competition.
The timing of the meeting took place after Pakistan’s disappointing campaign at the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 and was eliminated early after consecutive losses.
Pakistan’s opening match against New Zealand ended with 60 defeats as the team’s misery followed on February 23, with India defeating them with six wickets in a high-pressure encounter.
The rain on February 27th washed away the match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, with each team earning one point. As a result, both sides were removed from the tournament and ended their hopes of moving forward further.
It is noteworthy that the Pakistani team will take part in a series consisting of five T20s and three ODI matches during their tour of New Zealand.
The first T20 International between Pakistan and New Zealand will take place in Christchurch on March 16th, with the second T20 in Dunedin on March 18th and the third in Auckland on March 21st.
The fourth match will be held at Mount Maunganui on March 23, with the fifth and final T20 scheduled for Wellington on March 26.
The three-match ODI series begins with the first match at Napier on March 29th, followed by the second match at Hamilton on April 2nd, 2025 and the third match at Mount Moungan on April 5th.