Naseem Shah To Make Room For Mystery Spinner; Pakistan's Probable XI For 2nd T20I vs Australia

Muskaan Bhatt∙ Updated: Nov 15 2024, 5:30 PM | 2 Min Read

Naseem Shah is expected to be dropped  [Source: @CricWick/X]

After a loss against Australia, Pakistan sets its sight to redeem themselves in the upcoming second T20I slated to be played at the famous Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney on 16 November, Friday. A very crucial clash from the visitors perspective who have one last chance to redeem themselves.

Maxwell's Knock Takes The Aussies Home

Talking about the 1st T20I, Australia dominated Pakistan at the Gabba, winning by 29 runs to lead the three-match T20I series 1-0. A rain-marred game saw just 7 overs being played. Glenn Maxwell scored 43 runs off 19 balls until Shaheen Afridi dismissed him, while Marcus Stoinis added a late cameo of 21* off 7 to take the Australians to 93/4. Abbas Afridi was the man from the other side who stole the show with 2/9. 

Pakistan's response went wrong as they were losing regular wickets and were precariously placed at 5/16 early on. Abbas Afridi finally looked like a decent player with 20* off 10, but Pakistan could only score 64/9.

Going forward however, it is expected that Pakistan will make some notable changes.It is expected that Irfan Khan Niazi and Haseebullah are likely to be dropped and in their place the team would be going for  Arafat Minhas and Jahandad Khan.

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No Naseem Magic?

Moreover, after Naseem Shah’s underwhelming performance in the first T20I, where he conceded 37 runs in just two overs, has raised questions about his place in Pakistan’s lineup for the second match. Despite, picking up a wicket his expensive spell was a key factor in Australia’s dominant 93-run win.  

With Pakistan boasting in-form pacers like Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and the impressive Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah could be left out. Additionally, Sydney’s conditions are expected to favor spin over pace, making left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem a more viable option for Pakistan

Pakistan's Probable Playing XI For 2nd T20I vs Australia

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk), Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan, Agha Salman (vc), Arafat Minhas, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem

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