What Pakistan Must Watch In The Rest Of The Tri-Series

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First #PakvsSA ODI, Salman Ali Agha’s T20 Captaincy, #T20WC25, 2025
Image Source: Pakistan Cricket Team Facebook Page
The opening round of the tri-series has already given Pakistan plenty to think about. A reshuffled batting order, bold selection calls, and under-pressure senior players have all shaped the early narrative. While Pakistan started well, the remaining matches will determine not just their place in the final, but also the team’s overall direction heading into the T20 World Cup. As the tournament progresses, three major storylines will define Pakistan’s campaign.

Read: First #PakvsSA ODI: 3 Takeaways From Pakistan’s Win

Can Fakhar Zaman Continue to Reinvent Himself at Number Five?

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Image Source: The Cricketer

Pakistan’s top order has long been overloaded with similar-style batters—players who thrive early but leave the middle order thin and vulnerable. That is why Pakistan’s decision to send Fakhar Zaman at number five in the first T20 turned out to be one of the biggest positives. The move strengthened a historically fragile middle order and allowed Pakistan to field a genuine match-winner without disturbing the top-heavy lineup. But the real question is: will it continue to work?

Read: Shaheen Afridi’s ODI Captaincy: What to Look Out For

Usman Khan Must Justify Rizwan’s Exclusion

Usman Khan, #PakvsEng T20 series, #PAKvsENG, #PakvsEng #T20WC24, Tri-Series
Image Source: Cricket Pakistan/PCB

Pakistan made a big call by dropping Rizwan, one of their most experienced T20 batters. His replacement, Usman Khan, played a decent innings in the opening game—but one innings alone won’t cement his place. Usman must show consistency, intent, and adaptability through the rest of the series. If he falters, Pakistan may have no option but to recall Rizwan for stability ahead of the World Cup. These matches are essentially Usman’s opportunity to prove his worth—and the pressure will only grow.

Read: #PakistaniCollapse — The Story That Keeps Repeating

Salman Ali Agha Is Running Out of Time

Salman Agha, #PAKvsNZ, #PakvsBan Babar Azam, First #PakvsNZ T20, #PAKvsBAN Jason Gillespie, #PakvsEng Multan, #PakvSA #CT25, #PakvsNZ 3rd T20, #PakvsNZ ODI series, #SalmanAliAgha, #AsiaCup2025, #PakvsInd, #AsiaCup25 Pakistan India, #SalmanAliAgha, #PAKvsSA
Image Source: Cricket Pakistan

While Salman Ali Agha has been in superb form in Tests and ODIs, his T20 performances have been disappointing so far. He has yet to translate his temperament and timing into the shortest format, and another bad series could cost him both his T20 spot and leadership role.

The remainder of this tri-series is not just about results—it’s about shaping Pakistan’s identity before the World Cup. The next few games may decide who walks into that tournament confident, and who doesn’t walk in at all. 

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