With the first #PakvsNZ T20 around the corner, here is a look at Pakistan’s best possible playing XI ahead of the inaugural game. It is also worth mentioning here that Pakistan are likely to experiment ahead of the T20 world cup i.e. scheduled to be played later in the year. Therefore, rather than selecting the best possible XI, the selectors might opt to test the bench strength throughout the series.
The squad for the T20 series comprises of the following players.
Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohd. Rizwan, Mohd. Amir, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, Zaman Khan.
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Top Six
Pakistan are likely to introduce a change in the opening combination with Saim Ayub opening the innings with skipper Babar Azam. Wicket-keeper batters, Rizwan and Usman Khan and Azam Khan should follow next while batting all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed seems to be the natural choice to bat at number six.
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Spin-bowling All-rounders
Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan are without a shadow of doubt Pakistan’s leading spin-bowling all-rounders in the squad. Still, Pakistan might try Usama Mir and Abrar Ahmed in a few matches.
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Fast Bowlers
Amir, Shaheen and Naseem Shah are Pakistan’s first choice pacers in the T20 format. However, Pakistan might employ the rotation policy to manage workload ahead of the #T20worldcup. Shaheen then is expected to rest in the first two T20s while Abbass Afridi is expected to play instead.
Read: #PakvsNZ: A Look At Pakistan’s Possible T20 Squad