Pakistan unveil Playing XI for first South Africa T20I

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the Playing XI for today’s first T20I against South Africa at Kingsmead.

In a surprising move, the team management has excluded vice-captain Salman Ali Agha from the playing lineup for the series opener.

Pakistan’s batting order will feature Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, and captain Mohammad Rizwan in the top positions, with Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, and Muhammad Irfan Khan filling the middle order.

In the bowling department, Pakistan has opted for two specialist spinners, Sufiyan Muqeem and Abrar Ahmed, supported by pacers Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf.

After today’s match in Durban, the second T20I will be held on December 13 in Centurion, and the final T20I will take place in Johannesburg on December 14.

Pakistan will then move on to a three-match ODI series starting December 17 in Paarl, followed by the second and third ODIs in Cape Town and Johannesburg on December 19 and 22.

The two teams will also compete in a two-match Test series, beginning in Centurion on December 26, with the second Test starting on January 3 in Cape Town.

Pakistan Playing XI: Mohammad Rizwan (c)(wk), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Afridi, Sufiyan Muqeem, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.