According to sources, Pakistani pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will take Babar Azam’s place as captain for the forthcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan. Azam and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan would likely be rested for the series.
Moreover, the selectors are expected to choose Saim Ayub, Haseebullah Khan, Azam Khan, and pacer Ihsanullah for the series. The selection of all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim is also up for grabs. It should be mentioned that Pakistan and Afghanistan’s three-match T20I series schedule was changed on Thursday.
The games were originally scheduled to take place at Sharjah Cricket Stadium on March 25, 27, and 29. These will now happen on March 24, 26, and 27, though.
“Together, the boards of the Afghanistan Cricket Board and Pakistan Cricket Board have decided to make a few minor adjustments to the schedule for Afghanistan’s three-match T2OI series against Pakistan at home. The first game of the series will now begin on March 24, and the final two games will now be played in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, on March 26 and 27 “In a statement, ACB stated.
“The changes in the itinerary are made due to the unavailability of the Hawk-Eye Technology for the previously agreed upon dates. The two boards have agreed upon the changes in the itinerary to ensure all the necessary broadcast technologies are available for the inaugural T20I series between the two sides,” it added.
Originally, instead of T20Is, both countries were scheduled to play a three-match ODI series this year, but after a discussion between Sethi and ACB officials, the format was modified because Pakistan and Afghanistan have already qualified for the 2023 ODI World Cup in India.
At a news conference in January, Sethi stated, “I spoke with the executive members of Afghanistan Cricket Board and they were urging us to play an (ODI) series but we didn’t see any appeal playing the series.
“It’s primarily because the series was intended to determine [Super League] points, and now it doesn’t matter who wins,” said the commentator. Thus, pending to government consent, we decided to play a series of three T20Is in Sharjah right after the PSL. We will each receive 50% of the series’ earnings. And together, we’ll outsource the production, he continued.
