JOHANNESBURG: Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha returns as Pakistan announce their playing XI for the third and final T20I against South Africa at The Wanderers Stadium in Johannesburg.
Agha’s inclusion is the only change in the squad as he replaces Usman Khan, who has been struggling with the bat in recent matches.
Khan, having played 18 T20I matches, managed 232 runs with just a hundred and fifty, registering a strike rate of 122.75.
The recently revealed line-up also marks the return of Pakistan’s opening pair of batting Babar Azam and white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan, while Saim Ayub has been demoted to bat at number three.
South Africa currently lead the series 2-0, having won both of their opening matches.
In the second T20I, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 206/5, thanks to Ayub’s remarkable knock of 98 off 57 deliveries, which included 11 boundaries and five sixes.
He received valuable support from Muhammad Irfan Khan (30 off 16 balls) and Abbas Afridi (11 off 4 balls) as Pakistan’s innings ended just shy of the target of 210 runs.
However, South Africa chased down the target in 19.3 overs, led by Reeza Hendricks’ sensational 117 off 63 balls, which featured seven boundaries and 10 sixes.
Hendricks was well supported by Rassie van der Dussen, who finished unbeaten with 59 off 39 balls.
Van der Dussen’s six goals against Abbas Afridi in the final sealed the victory, giving South Africa a dominant position in the series.
Pakistan playing XI for third T20I: Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha (VC), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.
