Pakistan’s T20I captain Mohammad Rizwan has kept fans and analysts guessing around the playing XI ahead of the first T20I against Australia today at The Gabba.
Speaking to the media in Brisbane, Rizwan hinted at a carefully planned line-up but refrained from revealing the playing XI, keeping the Australian camp on its toes.
“There’s a lot of discussion around our playing XI, but we’re holding back for now—there are some things I want to keep to myself,” he shared, maintaining an element of suspense.
Rizwan noted that the team is aiming for stability at the top of the order while being open to tweaks where necessary. “Our goal is to stick with what’s working, while also improving key areas,” he added. “I always consult with others and aim to make decisions that best serve Pakistan.”
The absence of seasoned players like Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim, and Iftikhar Ahmed brings a unique challenge to Pakistan’s line-up. Rizwan acknowledged that replacing these players isn’t a simple task.
“It’s not easy to fill the gap left by players of that caliber. Their contributions have been crucial, and it will take time to fully fill their roles,” he admitted.
With a mix of established stars and emerging talent in the squad, Rizwan is optimistic about crafting a strong XI for the series opener. “Right now, our focus is on putting the best XI on the field. We’ve got a few ideas in mind,” he concluded.
Rizwan, who will lead the T20I side for the first time since his appointment as captain, will look to become the first skipper to beat Australia in two consecutive limited-over series when the action kicks off.
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1-M Rizwan,2-haseebullah khan,3-Babar azam,4-usman khan,5-umair bin Yousuf,6-agha Salman,7-irfan khan/Arafat minhas,8- jahandad khan,9-shaheen afraid,10-naseem Shah,11-haris raid this is strongest playing 11 for 1st t20i against Australia