Fakhar To Be Dropped, Shaheen Afridi Back? PAK Predicted XI For Tri-Series Match 4 vs AFG

Fakhar dropped vs AFG? [Source: @iamAhmadhaseeb/x.com]

Ahead of the Asia Cup 2025 tournament, Pakistan have picked up the momentum, courtesy of their back-to-back wins against Afghanistan and the UAE. The Men in Green decimated both their opponents with ease and have one foot in the finals of the tri-nation tournament. The Agha Salman-led side has almost all the bases covered, and will be the favourites in their next game.

Pakistan will face Afghanistan once again on Tuesday, and a win against the Afghan side will secure its spot in the finals. Before the mega contest between two sides, we look at Pakistan’s probable XI, and how they could lineup vs the Afghans.

Changes which Pakistan could make for tri-series match 4

Fakhar Zaman dropped?

Nothing has gone right for Fakhar Zaman in the last 1.5 years in the T20I format. He has struggled for runs, has had injury issues, and it has derailed his wonderful international career. In the first two matches of the tri-series, Fakhar batted at number 3 and failed in both games, scoring only 20, and 6 as he failed to up the ante, while others did it for fun.

(Fakhar Zaman in T20Is since 2024)

• In 10 matches, he has scored just 154 runs, but the worrying part is his strike rate, which is just 115.
• Plus, he looks unfit at the moment, and is also playing out of position which is hampering his game. Hence, it would be beneficial if Agha Salman brings in someone else at number 3.

Who could replace Fakhar at number 3?

Pakistan has brought in a plethora of all-rounders in their squad for the tri-series, and they could be tempted to bring in Hussain Talat in the playing XI. However, he won’t play at number 3, instead, that position should go to Mohammad Haris, who is playing at number 7, which is not his usual spot.

Shaheen, Rauf back in playing XI after mini rest

With Pakistan playing back-to-back matches, the management gave rest to its premium pacers, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf. The two bowlers are important for Pakistan's fortunes, and they could make a return for the Afghanistan clash. That would mean, Salman Mirza, and Hasan Ali might have to make way for the two pacers.

If Pakistan beat Afghanistan, they would reach the tri-series finale, and the management could once again give rest to Shaheen, and Rauf for the dead-rubber clash vs UAE.

Could Pakistan bring in Abrar Ahmed in place of Sufyan?

While the mystery spinner was outstanding against Afghanistan in the first game, he went for plenty in the UAE clash, and perhaps, Agha Salman could rest him for the Afghanistan clash, and Abrar Ahmed might be brought in.

(Muqeem vs The UAE)

• The UAE batters targeted Sufiyan Muqeem, and the bowler suddenly looked underconfident. Hence, for the clash vs Afghanistan, Agha Salman could bring in Abrar, who is an equally potent bowler.

Pakistan's predicted XI Vs Afghanistan

Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Salman Agha (c), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

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