ISLAMABAD, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan announced two separate cricket squads for the upcoming tour to New Zealand on Tuesday, appointing a new captain for the Twenty20 International (T20I) side.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) named Salman Ali Agha as captain for the five-match T20I series against New Zealand, scheduled from March 16 to 26. Shadab Khan will serve as vice-captain, reflecting Pakistan's strategic preparations for upcoming major tournaments.

In the One-Day International (ODI) format, Mohammad Rizwan will remain captain, with Agha as his deputy for the three-match 50-over series against New Zealand, set for March 29 to April 5.

The decision to appoint Agha as T20I captain aims to build a strong foundation ahead of the Men's T20 Asia Cup 2025, slated for September 2025, and the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026.

Rizwan's leadership in the ODI format is focused on preparations for the ICC Men's 50-over Cricket World Cup 2027, which will be held in Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Four players, including Abdul Samad, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Al, and Akif Javed, have been selected for the squads as a reward for their performances in domestic tournaments. Enditem

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