The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed the playing XI for the first T20I match against Zimbabwe, scheduled for tomorrow at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The three-match T20I series will run from December 1 to December 5.
The squad will be led by Salman Ali Agha, with a mix of experienced and young talent. The playing XI includes players like Saim Ayub, Omair Bin Yousuf, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Jahandad Khan. The bowling attack will feature Muhammad Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed, and Sufyan Moqim.
In a pre-match press conference, Agha expressed that the team’s primary goal is to win the T20I series, following their victory in the one-day series. “Our target is to win the T20I series now,” Agha emphasized. He also highlighted the importance of giving young players ample opportunities to shine during this series.
The captain confirmed the inclusion of new faces in the T20I squad, with a focus on maintaining momentum in the shortest format of the game. “We will play aggressively,” Agha stated. He also praised the bowling lineup, expressing confidence in the squad’s ability to perform well.
Agha acknowledged that Zimbabwe is a strong team with match-winning players, but Pakistan will focus on controlling the game. “The Zimbabwean team has proven to be tough on home ground,” he added.
In the third ODI on Thursday, Pakistan defeated Zimbabwe by 99 runs, clinching the series 2-1. Kamran Ghulam’s maiden century, along with a collective bowling effort, ensured Pakistan’s dominant victory in the series decider.
