Following a disappointing defeat in the 2025 Champions Trophy at home and in Dubai, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) management undertook significant changes to the T20 and ODI squads for the ongoing tour of New Zealand.

Captain of the national Mohammad Rizwan, veteran player Babar Azam and fast bowler Naseem Shah were dropped from the T20I squad while leading fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf were out of the ODI line-up.

In an unexpected move, leg-spin all-rounder Shadab Khan has been reinstated as the vice-captain of the T20 squad. This decision comes as a surprise, as Shadab last represented Pakistan in the T20 World Cup against Ireland last year, where he did not contribute with either bat or ball, finishing with a duck and failing to take any wickets. Notably, prior to the ongoing T20 series in New Zealand, Shadab had claimed just one wicket in his last ten matches.

In the first T20I, Pakistan bowled out on just 91 inside 20 overs. It was Pakistan’s lowest T20I total in New Zealand. It was also the fourth-lowest total recorded in a T20I innings in New Zealand. It was the only second occasion when both Pakistan openers have gotten out for a duck in a T20I, the other such instance happened more than a decade ago against West Indies in 2014.

In the second game, Greenshirts showed some improvement, scored 135 in 15 overs, but bowlers failed to give early breakthrough. The first 30 runs off the bat were five sixes, which explains a lot about the innings. Pakistan’s score always looked under par, and New Zealand’s openers once again led the way.

Seifert scored 45 runs off 22 balls, including three fours and five sixes. Allen was more destructive, scoring 38 runs off 16 balls, including one four and five sixes.

Winning and losing is part of the game, but the way Pakistani batsmen threw their wickets was disappointing.

Pakistan’s batting performance in the first two games, has been quite troubling, as players opted for aggressive shots without fully evaluating the conditions. While aggression has its place, it shouldn’t transform into reckless swings that lead to quick wickets and unnecessary pressure on the middle order. So far, the team’s performance has been disappointing.

Young batsmen struggled against quality pace bowling in difficult conditions which were unfamiliar for the inexperienced Pakistani players.

It is a common practice that new players are given a chance in home series so that they can get a good start on their tried and tested pitches or that youngsters are tested on tours of other weaker teams, but the practice is different in Pakistan, where new players are given a chance on difficult tours in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, where even experienced Pakistani players do not have a good record.

New Zealand pitches are tricky for batsmen, with variable bounce and pace, which can expose weaknesses in Pakistan’s batting lineup.

Pakistan has historically faced challenges in New Zealand, primarily due to the demanding conditions and their recent difficulties with maintaining consistency and adapting to various formats. New Zealand’s bowling attack, particularly their pace bowlers, is renowned for thriving in conditions conducive to seam movement and bounce.

In recent times, Pakistan has encountered stability issues, including fluctuations in team selection and management, which have hindered their cohesion and adaptability. Specifically, the team has struggled to adjust to different formats; in the ODI format, they have faced difficulties in successfully chasing targets, and in T20s, they have encountered challenges in accumulating runs.

This year, New Zealand has emerged victorious in all three matches against Pakistan across different formats. The frequent changes in team management, coaching staff, and player rosters have further contributed to a lack of cohesion and consistency within the squad.

The Pakistan cricket team has a storied history rich with highs and lows. However, when it comes to performing in New Zealand, the team often finds itself grappling with challenges that hamper their success.

New Zealand is known for its unpredictable weather, which can significantly affect cricket matches. The overcast skies and frequent rain can create challenging playing conditions. The pitch often carries moisture, making it favourable for swing bowling. Pakistan’s team, while equipped with talented bowlers, sometimes struggles to acclimatize to these conditions, leading to inconsistent performances.

The inherent climate differences present a hurdle for players used to the hotter, dryer conditions of the subcontinent. This adaptation process can take time, and as a result, the players might find themselves under-prepared during crucial series.

Another critical factor is the nature of the pitches in New Zealand. They typically offer significant pace and bounce, which can be daunting for subcontinental players who are accustomed to slower tracks. The ball tends to seam more in New Zealand conditions, which can pose problems for batsmen who are not used to facing such variability.

Inexperience in dealing with such conditions can exacerbate this mental pressure. Many players on the Pakistani team have limited exposure to playing in New Zealand, and this can lead to errors in judgment on the field. The pressure of foreign crowds and the hostile atmosphere only compounds this issue, making it difficult for players to find their rhythm.

One of the key reasons management opts to field young players in New Zealand is to foster talent and prepare future leaders for the team. While it may seem counterintuitive to send inexperienced players into a challenging environment, this strategy is predicated on the belief that the lessons learned in tough situations can pay dividends in the future.

Young players often bring a fresh perspective and a fearless attitude that can positively impact team dynamics.

The learning curve in New Zealand may be steep, but the experiences gained will help solidify their skills and improve their performance in subsequent tours.

Through this approach, the Pakistan management aims to build a sustainable future for the team. Instead of relying on the same core group of players who may have already reached their peak, providing opportunities to young cricketers ensures that the team remains competitive and evolves over time.

By embracing the difficulties inherent to playing in New Zealand, the team can cultivate an environment of growth and adaptability, ultimately enhancing their performance on the global stage.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) should improve the ground conditions and prepare pitches with grass at home.

What can a player do when he is not used to the conditions he faces at the international level! The board never provides the opportunity to domestic players to play their trophy matches on fast and grassy tracks. In the domestic matches, the batsmen score tons of runs as they face little bounce and hardly any movement.

Every country prepares its pitches according to its team’s strength, but Pakistan is most unfortunate in this. We have had the services of the world’s most lethal fast bowlers in Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar.

If attention is not given to domestic structure, the Green Shirts will keep struggling on fast and bouncy tracks as they did in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

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