Pakistan and Sri Lanka meet for the decider in Dubai today. When the day and night fixture begins some of the Pakistani cricketers will be under pressure to perform so that they are able to keep their Test spots.
Here is a look at who they are and how they have performed in recent past.
3. Babar Azam
During the last few months Babar Azam has been Pakistan’s most consistent batsman in the One Day International (ODI) format. However, he is yet to show the same level of consistency in the longer version of the game.
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Babar averages 53.88 in ODIs where as his batting average at the Test level is only 25.94. The last three Test matches he is ended up scoring 0, 0, 55, 0, 28 and 3. With only one fifty from previous six innings Babar will have to perform well during the next game to assure himself of an automatic place in the playing eleven.
2. Asad Shafiq
Asad Shafiq has been a consistent performer for Pakistan over the years. However, 2017 has not been a good year for him as for some reason he seems to have lost his touch. With his highest being 39 he has not scored a single fifty in his last ten innings.
Being a senior member of the side he for sure has to put up a good score in the next game or else selectors might have little choice but to reassess their strategy to strengthen Pakistan’s middle order.
1. Muhammad Amir
Amir has had catches dropped of his bowling ever since he has made a comeback still,to be realistic he not looked as threatening as he was before the ban in 2009. The last six innings he has only picked six wickets and the last game he couldn’t even manage one.
Pakistan is likely to play its next Test series in England during the calendar year 2018. Pakistani selectors might hesitate with experimenting too much in English conditions and may want to give Asad and Babar another opportunity even if they fail to impress in Dubai.
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Amir however, will have to perform or else the selection committee will have little choice but to replace him with Junaid Khan or Mir Hamza and ask them to take up the role of a strike bowler.