Pakistan
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the playing XI for the first T20 International (T20I) match against Zimbabwe, scheduled to take place tomorrow at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo.
This opening match marks the start of a three-game T20I series, running from December 1 (Sunday) to December 5 (Thursday).
The Pakistani squad will be led by Salman Ali Agha, who emphasized the importance of continuing their winning momentum following the recent ODI series victory.
Agha stated that the team’s primary goal is to win the T20I series, adding that this provides an opportunity to showcase the talent of young players. He assured fans that the team would play aggressively to secure a positive outcome.
The selected playing XI boasts a blend of youthful energy and skill, featuring promising players such as Saim Ayub, Omair Bin Yousuf, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Jahandad Khan.
The bowling lineup includes Muhammad Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, and Sufyan Moqim, who will aim to maintain Pakistan’s dominance in the shortest format of the game.
During a press conference in Bulawayo, skipper Agha expressed his confidence in the squad, highlighting the strong performances of the young players in domestic cricket.
He noted that introducing new faces in the T20I series is part of a strategy to give maximum exposure to emerging talent. “The T20I squad has good bowlers, and I want the youngsters to enjoy the game and perform to their potential,” he added.
Acknowledging Zimbabwe’s strength, Agha noted that the host team has proven to be formidable on home soil and possesses several match-winning players.
However, he stressed that Pakistan would focus on maintaining control during the game to ensure victory.
The T20I series follows Pakistan’s successful 2-1 triumph in the ODI series. In the decisive match, Kamran Ghulam’s maiden century and an exceptional bowling effort secured a commanding 99-run victory for the Men in Green.
This momentum will serve as a strong foundation as Pakistan begins its campaign in the T20I series.
