PAK vs SA: Sufiyan out as Pakistan unveil playing XI for second T20I tonight

Fast bowler Jahandad Khan has been included in the lineup as SuperSport Park conditions expected to favour pace


News Desk December 13, 2024
- PCB

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named its playing XI for the second T20I of the three-match series against South Africa, set to take place at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Friday at 9 pm Pakistan Standard Time.

In a key change, pace bowler Jahandad Khan has been included in the lineup, replacing spinner Sufiyan Muqeem. The decision comes in response to the conditions at SuperSport Park, which are expected to favour pace over spin.

In the series opener in Durban, Babar Azam was dismissed for a four-ball duck, while Captain Muhammad Rizwan's 74 runs from 62 balls, with a half-century in 50 deliveries, were heavily scrutinised.

His innings, marked by an unusually high number of dot balls, struggled to keep up with the required run rate during Pakistan's chase of 184.

Following Rizwan and Azam at the crease will be explosive batter Saim Ayub at No 3, with Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, and Irfan Khan rounding out the middle order.

Pakistan's bowling attack will feature front-line seamers Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Abbas Afridi, with Abrar Ahmed serving as the team's sole spin option. Jahandad Khan's inclusion bolsters the pace attack, replacing Muqeem.

Pakistan XI: Muhammad Rizwan (C), Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Jahandad Khan, Abrar Ahmed.

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