Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan was appointed vice-captain of the national T20I team, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Monday.
In his first assignment, Rizwan will be Shaheen Afridi’s deputy during the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
The series will be played from 12 to 21 January in Auckland, Hamilton, Dunedin and Christchurch.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Shadab Khan, who was former Pakistan captain Babar Azam's deputy in white-ball cricket, has vowed his support to Rizwan.
"Congratulations Rizwan on being named the vice-captain of the T20I team. I know you will be a brilliant deputy to Shaheen Afridi," Shadab wrote on X (formerly Twitter) while wishing the keeper all the best.
"I urge all the fans to get behind them and support the team vs NZ," he added.
It must be noted that Shadab is recovering from an ankle injury and it is not part of the squad for series against New Zealand.
Earlier today, the Pakistan team reached Auckland from Sydney ahead of the series against New Zealand. The Men in Green will begin training for the series from tomorrow.
It must be noted that Pakistan recently suffered a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of Australia in a Test series down under.
Pakistan squad for New Zealand T20Is
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Azam Khan (wk), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (vc/wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usama Mir and Zaman Khan
Schedule of Pakistan vs New Zealand T20I series
1st T20 – 12 January 2024 at Eden Park, Auckland
2nd T20 – 14 January 2024 at Seddon Park, Hamilton
3rd T20 – 17 January 2024 at University Oval, Dunedin
4th T20 – 19 January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
5th T20 – 21 January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Shadab Khan