Pakistan’s first of three T20Is against Afghanistan at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday will feature a dynamic XI, including several debutants and returnees. Opener Saim Ayub, middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir, and right-arm quicks Zaman Khan and Ihsanullah are set to make their debuts for Pakistan, while top-order batter Abdullah Shafique, all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim, and Azam Khan will be making their return to the Pakistan side.
All eight players were selected from a 15-member squad for this T20I series, based on their impressive performances in the domestic circuit and the recently concluded HBL Pakistan Super League 8. This series provides an opportunity for these players to showcase their skills in international cricket and continue their excellent form.
Karachi-born 20-year-old Saim Ayub will make his debut as an opener alongside Mohammad Haris, who has played five T20Is for Pakistan. Haris showcased his strokeplay and bold intent in the last ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in Australia and has previously batted with Saim in Peshawar Zalmi during PSL 8. Saim’s inclusion comes after a highly impressive run for Sindh and Peshawar Zalmi.
In the National T20 championship, Saim played an integral role in Sindh’s victory, making 416 runs in 12 matches at a strike rate of 155.22. He also scored 341 runs, including five half-centuries (joint-most in the season with Babar Azam), at a strike rate of 165.53 for Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 8 while opening the innings.
Ahead of his debut, Saim expressed his excitement and nervousness, stating that he never expected to play for Pakistan this early. However, he is determined to make the most of this opportunity and do justice to the jersey. Saim emphasized the importance of giving a good start to the team in T20 cricket, regardless of the opposition, by quickly assessing the conditions and making his presence count. He is looking forward to playing with Haris, who is also his batchmate and with whom he shares good chemistry and similar playing style of dominating the opposition.
Abdullah Shafique and Tayyab Tahir will bat at number three and four respectively. Abdullah, who has previously played three T20Is with his last appearance being in December 2020 in New Zealand, has been included in the squad after a successful domestic season, scoring 268 runs at 144.08 for Lahore Qalandars. He hit two half-centuries, including one in the final against Multan Sultans.
Tayyab, on the other hand, has been in good form over the past year. He made an impressive debut in the PSL 8 with a rapid 65 and scored 137 runs at 144.21. He was also the top run-scorer in the Pakistan Cup that concluded in January, where he was awarded the Player of the Final for his match-winning 71 for Central Punjab. He scored 708 runs in the first-class Quaid-e-Azam Trophy at an average of 59, including four centuries and one half-century.
“Every cricketer dreams of playing for their country when they start their journey,” Tayyab said. “I am grateful to have been given the opportunity to represent Pakistan. It will be a proud moment for my parents to see me play. I have played competitive cricket at the domestic level and in the Pakistan Super League, so I am confident that I can overcome any nerves and perform well for my team. I am really excited to make my debut for Pakistan.”
The middle-order of the Pakistan XI for the first T20I against Afghanistan includes captain Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, and Imad Wasim. Azam Khan, who will be playing his fourth T20I, had a prolific run in the PSL, scoring 282 runs for Islamabad United at a phenomenal strike rate of 161.14. Faheem Ashraf, Azam’s teammate in HBL PSL, provided balance to the side with his all-round contributions, making 215 runs and taking eight wickets at an economy of 9.50. Imad Wasim, known for his left-handed batting, scored 404 runs for Karachi Kings in the HBL PSL at a remarkable average of 134.66 and a strike rate of 170.46. Although he took nine wickets in the league, his experience of 58 T20Is and economy of 6.33 make him a valuable asset to the Pakistan side.
Zaman Khan is a newcomer to the Pakistan team and is expected to play a key role in the pace attack alongside Naseem Shah and Ihsanullah. He is known for his ability to move the ball in the air at the start of the innings and keep the batters guessing with his variations during the death overs. Zaman played a crucial role in helping Lahore Qalandars win their second straight HBL PSL title, where he defended 13 off the last over and took 15 wickets at 23.60 runs per dismissal and an economy of 8.53 in the recent season. Umer Gul, the bowling coach, has been helping Zaman prepare for the upcoming match and has advised him to hit the hard length, keeping in mind the behavior of the Sharjah wicket. Zaman is excited to represent his country and is determined to give his best for his team.
Pakistan has a dependable pace bowler in Ihsanullah, who can lead them through the middle-overs. His right-arm thunderbolts kept opponents on the back foot throughout the HBL PSL 8, as he used lethal bouncers to pepper every opposition. Ihsanullah was the first bowler in the tournament to pick up a five-wicket haul, and he went on to finish as the best player and best bowler, taking 22 wickets (the second most) at only 15.77 runs apiece, with an economy rate of 7.59 in the 45.4 overs he bowled, the most for a bowler with top-five wickets.
“I am delighted that my parents’ dream of me playing for Pakistan is coming true,” said Ihsanullah, who belongs to the village of Matta in Swat. “My experience in the HBL PSL will definitely come in handy. There were players from all around the world, including Afghanistan, and I learned a great deal from bowling to them, so it will be useful.”
The Pakistan XI for the first Afghanistan T20I will include Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Abdullah Shafique, Tayyab Tahir, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Zaman Khan, and Ihsanullah.
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