Bulawayo [Zimbabwe]: Saim Ayub has been dropped from Pakistan’s Playing XI for the final T20I match of the series against Zimbabwe, with Sahibzada Farhan named as his replacement.
Pakistan announced their playing XI on the eve of the third T20I, making a few changes to the squad. Along with Ayub’s exclusion, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, and Irfan Khan Niazi have been rested for the final T20I of the series.
The replacements include Qasim Akram, Arafat Minhas, and Mohammad Hasnain for the third T20I against Zimbabwe.
- Qasim Akram, 22, has made three T20I appearances for Pakistan but has yet to make a significant impact.
- Arafat Minhas, a 19-year-old left-arm spinner, has also played three T20Is and has taken four wickets.
- Mohammad Hasnain brings more experience with 27 T20I appearances and 25 wickets to his name.
Salman Ali Agha will continue to captain the side in the absence of Mohammad Rizwan. The rest of the squad includes Omair Yousuf, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, and Sufiyan Muqeem, all of whom retain their spots in the playing XI.
Pakistan already took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series after securing a dominant 10-wicket win in the second T20I on Tuesday. Zimbabwe were restricted to a paltry 57, their lowest T20I total, with Pakistan’s young bowler Sufiyan Muqeem playing a key role. His exceptional pace variation and effective use of top spin and googly earned him a five-wicket haul in just 2.4 overs, conceding only three runs.
Pakistan’s tour of Zimbabwe will conclude on Thursday, after which they will turn their attention to their upcoming tour of South Africa, set to begin on December 10.
Pakistan’s Playing XI for the third T20I against Zimbabwe: Sahibzada Farhan, Omair Yousuf, Usman Khan, Salman Ali Agha (captain), Tayyab Tahir, Qasim Akram, Arafat Minhas, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Sufiyan Muqeem.