Captain Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah rested as Pakistan announce playing XI for third T20I against Australia. (Source – Getty Images)
In the dead-rubber third T20I against Australia at Bellerive Oval, Hobart on November 18, the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced some changes to their playing XI. With the series already decided in the host’s favor, Pakistan has opted to rest newly-appointed skipper Mohammad Rizwan, and given the captaincy debut to his deputy Salman Ali Agha.
The visitors are looking to save their pride in the series finale after struggling to make an impact in the first two matches. Alongside Rizwan’s absence, the team management has also decided to rest pace spearhead Naseem Shah, leaving an opportunity for left-arm quick Jahandad Khan to make his international debut.
Meanwhile, the hosts have dominated the series with clinical performances, including fielding and batting contributions. While no Australian batter has hit a half-century in the series, their collective effort has been more effective than Pakistan’s top-heavy approach.
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Furthermore, Haseebullah Khan will take up the wicketkeeping duties in Rizwan’s absence. The pressure will be on star batter Babar Azam, who has had a quiet series by his standards, as he has managed to add just six runs in two matches. While Australia looks for a clean sweep, Pakistan’s new-look team will be eager to prove their potential and fly back home with a win.
The Aussies, meanwhile, will now shift their focus to the high-octane Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, with the first Test scheduled to begin on Friday, November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
Pakistan’s Playing XI for third T20I vs Australia
Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Haseebullah Khan (WK), Usman Khan, Salman Ali Agha (C), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Muqeem
Pakistan playing XI for the third T20I against Australia 🏏#AUSvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/BXwXMmEetM
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 18, 2024