In the upcoming T20I series against New Zealand, it appears that former Pakistan captain Babar Azam is likely to lose his opening slot. The opening pair is expected to be Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub, as per reports from Auckland, indicating a shift in strategy. During practice sessions, Rizwan and Saim were seen facing new ball bowlers, while Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman focused on spinners in separate nets.

The newly appointed captain, Shaheen Shah Afridi, along with the new high-performance coach Yasir Arafat and team director Muhammad Hafeez, seem keen on experimenting with fresh strategies in the T20I series. Despite the potential change, it’s worth noting that Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been successful openers for Pakistan since 2021.

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Babar Azam is expected to bat at number three, followed by Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, and Iftikhar Ahmed. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been appointed as Pakistan’s vice-captain for T20Is ahead of the New Zealand tour, starting from January 12. This move is part of the team’s preparations for the 2024 T20 World Cup in West Indies and USA, scheduled from June 1-29.

Rizwan, expressing his gratitude for the role, mentioned his excitement to work closely with the captain, coaching staff, and teammates to contribute to the team’s success. With 85 T20I appearances since his debut in 2015, Rizwan has accumulated 2,797 runs, including one century and 25 half-centuries. He has also been efficient behind the stumps, taking 41 catches and executing 11 stumpings.

Pakistan squad:

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain and wicket-keeper), Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan (wicket-keeper), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir, and Zaman Khan.