BULAWAYO: A new-look Pakistan side led by Salman Ali Agha face Zimbabwe in the first T20 International in Bulawayo on Sunday.

Pakistan on Saturday announced the playing XI for the opening T20 of the three-match series which will be staged at the Queens Sports Club.

The playing eleven features youngsters including Saim Ayub, Omair Bin Yousuf, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Mohammad Irfan Khan and Jahandad Khan. The bowling line-up comprises pacers Abbas Afridi and Haris Rauf and spinners Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Moqim.

Speaking to media in Bulawayo ahead of the series, Salman said that Pakistan would look to replicate the performance of the preceding three-game ODI series which the tourists won 2-1.

The Green-shirts start this T20 series after suffering a 3-0 sweep in Australia last month.

“We had a great ODI series against Zimbabwe. Winning that series gave us the momentum which we will try to maintain in the T20s as well,” Salman told reporters.

The young stand-in skipper who is leading the T20 team instead of regular captain Mohammad Rizwan, insisted that Pakistan would field youngsters during the series.

“We will give as many chances as possible to our youngsters during this series, in order to check our bench strength,” he said while adding that winning the series against Zimbabwe remained the main goal.

“We have in our T20 team youngsters who have performed well on the domestic circuit. And this is the best opportunity for them to prove themselves.”

Answering a question, the captain said there was no pressure on the touring side.

“There is no pressure. This is an opportunity our young players want to grab and enjoy the game.”

Talking about Zimbabwe, Salman acknowledged that they remained a potent force at home.

“I think Zimbabwe are a very decent side. In their backyard they are very good team. They are more lethal in their own backyard where the playing conditions are known to them fully,” he said.

“They do have match winners. In T20s you need match winners, one [bowling] spell or a [batting] show can win you a game. We are aware of that and we will make sure we keep them quiet and win [the series].”

Published in Dawn, December 1st, 2024