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No Hasan Nawaz; Naseem Shah dropped? Pakistan's probable playing XI for must-win 2nd T20I vs SA

Debashis Sarangi

Hasan Nawaz and Naseem Shah flopped in 1st T20I vs SA [Source: AFP]Hasan Nawaz and Naseem Shah flopped in 1st T20I vs SA [Source: AFP]

On Tuesday, Pakistan had a horrible start to the T20I series against South Africa, losing the first match convincingly by 55 runs. Batting first, South Africa posted a massive total of 194 runs in 20 overs. Pakistan were miserable with the bat during the run chase, as they were bowled out for 139 and suffered a comprehensive defeat. Considering it's a three-match series, the second T20I is significant for the visitors, as another loss would leave them facing a humiliating series defeat on home soil. 

While Mohammad Nawaz and Saim Ayub performed admirably, several Pakistan players flopped in their respective departments in the first T20I against South Africa. So, with the series on the line, the Men in Green could tweak their lineup a bit to ensure an evolved performance in the do-or-die face-off in Lahore. 

Serious question marks over Hasan Nawaz's place

Criterion
Data
Innings9
Runs113
Average12.56
Strike Rate118.94

(Hasan Nawaz since UAE Tri-Series)

  • Hasan Nawaz, who had a magnificent start to his T20I career, has failed miserably with the bat in recent times. The swashbuckling middle-order batter has managed only 113 runs at a mediocre average of 12.56 and a strike rate of 118.94 in his last nine innings since the UAE T20I Tri-Series. More importantly, he has registered seven single-digit scores in this period, letting down the team with a string of middling outings. 
  • Hasan Nawaz's persistent failure to provide stability as well as dynamism to the Pakistani batting lineup has put his place in serious doubt. So, if he is dropped, Abdul Samad will likely fill his void as a power hitter in the middle order. 

Will Naseem Shah be replaced?

Naseem Shah hasn't really lived up to the expectations in T20I cricket. The fast bowler has bagged 26 wickets in 31 matches at a modest strike rate of 25.6.

Although Pakistan recalled him to T20Is, Naseem couldn't prove his mettle in the first match against South Africa, scalping a solitary wicket for 34 runs in his three overs. 

In fact, Pakistan have a quality pacer in Mohammad Wasim Jr as Naseem's backup. However, it's unlikely that the speedster will be dropped after only one failure. That said, Naseem's place will certainly be jeopardised if he registers poor numbers in the must-win second T20I in Lahore. 

Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi likely to get another chance

Ace batter Babar Azam and premier fast bowler Shaheen Afridi didn't have a great game in the first T20I. While Babar was dismissed for a two-ball duck, Shaheen Afridi went for 45 runs in his four overs, picking up only one wicket. 

However, this was Babar's first T20I outing after a long time, and Shaheen recently emerged as Pakistan's most successful bowler in the Asia Cup with ten wickets in seven outings at a sublime strike rate of 14. 

These two players are Pakistan's most established match-winners, and given the importance of the second T20I for the hosts, they will likely persist with Babar and Shaheen for this game.

Pakistan's probable XI for 2nd T20I vs South Africa

Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (C), Usman Khan (WK), Abdul Samad, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed