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Fakhar To Open, Babar At 3; Ace Pacer Out? Pakistan's Strongest XI For ODI Tri-Series



Fakhar Zaman with Babar Azam [Source: @_FaridKhan/X]Fakhar Zaman with Babar Azam [Source: @_FaridKhan/X]

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After a drawn Test series against West Indies, Pakistan are preparing to face South Africa and New Zealand in an ODI tri-series on home soil. The series, which kickstarts on February 8, will give the Pakistan players a golden opportunity to fine-tune their skills ahead of the all-important Champions Trophy. 

For the unversed, the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the same squad for the Champions Trophy as well as the Tri-Series. So, as the hosts gear up for the crucial face-offs against New Zealand and South Africa, let's analyse and find out their most potent combination for the series. 

Top-Order: Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Babar Azam

In Saim Ayub's absence, explosive batter Fakhar Zaman will likely open the batting for Pakistan in the ODI Tri-Series on home soil. Although there have been talks of promoting Babar Azam to the top order, the Pakistan team management might decide to reward Usman Khan for his consistency in List-A cricket. 

Usman, who plays as a top-order batter for Multan Sultans in the PSL, can be a game-changer for the hosts in the series. In 12 List-A matches, Usman has amassed 681 runs at an average of 75.66 and a strike rate of 117.61. Although he hasn't played a single ODI, Pakistan should give him an opportunity so that he can provide them with rollicking starts while allowing Babar Azam to bat at his preferred number three position. 

If the experiment is successful, Pakistan can pair up Usman and Fakhar as the openers, with Babar Azam following them at three in the Champions Trophy. Babar has enjoyed stellar success at number three, scoring 5416 runs at a superb average of 60.18 in ODI cricket. 

Upper Middle Order: Mohammad Rizwan, Kamran Ghulam

Captain Mohammad Rizwan seems the frontrunner to bat at number four, where he has been prolific in ODI cricket. In 44 innings at number four, Rizwan has clobbered 1719 runs at an average of 49.11 and a strike rate of 89.39. Besides stabilising the ship for Pakistan, Rizwan can be a game-changer with his stroke play, especially through the on-side. 

On the other hand, Kamran Ghulam, who looked impressive as a middle-order batter against South Africa, will likely be slotted at number five. In six ODI innings, Ghulam has struck 192 runs at an average of 32 and a strike rate of 106.7.

All Rounders: Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf

Pakistan used Saim Ayub as a potent bowling option in the South Africa ODIs. However, as the southpaw has been ruled out of the tri-series, they will need six bowling options, including the all-rounders Agha Salman and Faheem Ashraf

While Salman has scored 696 runs and picked up 15 wickets in ODIs, Faheem can be handy with his useful cameos and medium-pace bowling. 

Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

Ace speedster Shaheen Afridi will lead Pakistan's bowling attack in the ODI tri-series. Shaheen can trouble the opponent openers with his lethal swing bowling, while his cutters and variations could be useful in the slog overs. The left-arm seamer will be partnered by Naseem Shah, who has 17 wickets in just seven ODIs on home soil. 

Meanwhile, Haris Rauf should be preferred over ace speedster Mohammad Hasnain for the third seamer's role, considering his ability to dismantle the opposition with raw pace. Abrar Ahmed will be Pakistan's frontline spinner, having scalped ten wickets in just four ODI matches. 

Pakistan's Strongest Playing XI For ODI Tri Series

Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Kamran Ghulam, Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed