Islamabad United’s Shadab Khan performs a shot through the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Twenty20 cricket match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United on the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, in Rawalpindi on March 12, 2023.
| Photo Credit: AFP
Pakistan skipper Shadab Khan vowed his new-look aspect will put up an excellent struggle in opposition to a formidable Afghanistan aspect within the three-match Twenty20 International series beginning in Sharjah on Friday.
Shadab changed Babar Azam for the series as Pakistan determined to relaxation their common skipper alongside with seniors Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf.
Instead, Pakistan have drafted in high performers from its home T20 league – the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
“It is a great honour for me to be leading Pakistan,” Shadab mentioned on Thursday. “As a player this is the highest you can go in your career.
“I am very excited for the upcoming three T20Is. We have a brilliant mix of youth and experience, which makes us a well-balanced side, and we have what it takes to win this series.”
Shadab beforehand led Pakistan in a three-match T20I series in New Zealand when Azam was injured, shedding 2-1.
Batters Saim Ayub and Tayyab Tahir, and quick bowlers Ihsanullah and Zaman Khan are all uncapped whereas Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Azam Khan and Abdullah Shafique have earned remembers.
Afghanistan have additionally recalled former skipper Mohammad Nabi after leaving him out of the three-match T20 series in opposition to United Arab Emirates that they gained 2-1 final month.
Wily leg-spinner Rashid Khan will lead the Afghanistan aspect, having changed Nabi final yr.
Shadab mentioned Afghanistan have been a harmful aspect “and they have some good T20 players in their side but I am very confident with the players that I have in my squad.”
Pakistan have crushed Afghanistan in all three earlier T20Is — a one-off match in 2013 in Sharjah, T20 World Cup 2021 and Asia Cup final yr.
Pakistan agreed to play the series, the primary bilateral between the 2 nations, instead of three one-day internationals that Afghanistan have been alleged to play in opposition to Australia this month.
Cricket Australia pulled out of that series following an announcement from Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban that it was banning college schooling for ladies and never forming a ladies’s cricket workforce.
Afghanistan Cricket Board chief govt Khan hoped followers will get pleasure from an excellent series.
“Both nations have passionate fans who support their teams with enthusiasm and pride,” mentioned Naseeb.
“As neighbours, we have a special bond and we hope to showcase not only our cricketing skills but also the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship.”
Squads:
Pakistan: Shadab Khan (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, Zaman Khan
Afghanistan: Rashid Khan (captain), Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Ibrahim Zadran, Usman Ghani, Sediqullah Atal, Najibullah Zadran, Afsar Zazai, Karim Janat, Mohammad Nabi, Azmatullah Omarzai, Gulbadin Naib, Sharafuddin Ashraf, Noor Ahmad, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Fareed Ahmad, Fazalhaq Farooqi, Naveen-ul-Haq
