Pakistan captain Shadab Khan won the toss and chose to bat against Afghanistan in the first T20I of the three-match series on Friday at Sharjah Cricket Association Stadium. With big stars like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan rested, designated captain Shadab has promised that his new-look team will put up a good fight against a formidable Afghanistan. Pakistan has recruited top players from the Pakistan Super League. Batters Saim Ayub and Tayyab Tahir, and fast bowlers Ihsanullah and Zaman Khan are all set to make their debuts, while the likes of Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Azam Khan and Abdullah Shafique have earned recalls
The first T20I between Pakistan and Afghanistan will be played on March 24 in Sharjah, beginning at 9.30 p.m. IST, or 8 p.m. local time. All three matches will take place in Sharjah, with the second T20I taking place on March 26 (Sunday) and the third T20I taking place on March 27. (Monday).
Rashid Khan will lead Afghanistan, while Shadab Khan will lead Pakistan. Rashid and Shadab recently faced off in the Indian Premier League. Rashid’s Lahore Qalandars won back-to-back PSL titles by defeating Multan Sultans by one run in a thrilling finish. Both of these teams competed in the PSL 2021 final.
Afghanistan has named a 17-man squad, with Rashid Khan at the helm. Mohammad Nabi has been called up to the squad for the three-match Twenty20 International series. After the third T20I, a few of these players will head straight to India for the IPL 2023.
Regulars such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf have been rested for the series. Their absence allows the others to make a mark in the series. Players to keep an eye on include Azam Khan, Ishanullah, and Zaman Khan. PCB has named a 15-man squad for the three-match series, with Shadab Khan named captain.
The previous T20I series for Afghanistan was against the UAE. They won the series 2-1, taking the first and third Twenty20 Internationals. The UAE won the second T20I by nine wickets. The team is ranked tenth in the ICC T20I rankings.
Pakistan reached the finals of the previous T20 World Cup, but were defeated by England. They hosted England for a seven-match T20I series ahead of the T20 World Cup, which turned out to be a historic one, with the visitors winning 4-3. Pakistan is currently ranked third in the ICC Twenty20 International rankings.
SQUADS
Pakistan XI: 1 Saim Ayub, 2 Mohammad Haris, 3 Abdullah Shafique, 4 Tayyab Tahir, 5 Shadab Khan (capt), 6 Azam Khan (wk), 7 Faheem Ashraf, 8 Imad Wasim, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Zaman Khan, 11 Ihsanullah
