Saim To Open, Fakhar At 3; Shaheen Out? PAK Strongest XI For UAE Tri-Series T20I vs AFG

Saim, Shaheen and Fakhar in action [Source: AFP]

After securing a clinical 2-1 T20I series win against the West Indies, Pakistan are set to take on Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates in a Tri-Nation series ahead of the Asia Cup. The much-anticipated opening encounter of the tournament will take place between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday, August 29, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. 

This series gives Pakistan a valuable opportunity to fine-tune their T20 game before the Asia Cup. As the Men in Green gear up for the mega event, let's analyse and find out their most potent XI for the first match of the Tri-Series. 

Saim, Farhan To Open; Fakhar Should Bat At Number 3

Why should Fakhar Zaman be demoted?

Swashbuckling opener Fakhar Zaman has played 39 out of 89 innings as an opening batter. However, the failure of his pairing with Saim Ayub and the recent success of Sahibzada Farhan and Ayub as a dynamic duo could prompt Pakistan to utilise Fakhar as a middle-overs enforcer by assigning him the number three slot. 

(Comparison of Pakistan's opening pairs in T20Is)

• As shown in the above table, Farhan and Saim Ayub have complemented each other magnificently, adding 275 runs at an average of 45.83 and a blistering strike rate of 141.02. On the other hand, Ayub's pairing with Fakhar hasn't yielded rewards for Pakistan, with the batting duo managing only 23 runs across three outings at an abysmally low average of 7.66. 
• Thus, Farhan and Ayub seem the ideal candidates to open the batting, while Fakhar's experience of batting at three could lead to his demotion in the UAE Tri-Series. 

Hasan Nawaz To Shoulder Middle Order With Salman And Haris

• Hasan Nawaz has showcased remarkable batting form in T20Is, amassing 339 runs at an average of 28.25 and a superb strike rate of 175.65 in 14 innings. 
• His batting exploits make him an automatic choice in the Pakistan middle order, while Agha Salman and Mohammad Haris are two obvious picks for the remaining batting slots, being the captain and wicketkeeper of the side.  
• Captain Agha Salman has been a much-improved T20I batter of late, scoring 330 runs at a healthy average of 36.67 and a strike rate of 124.53 this year. On the other hand, the fearless stroke-play of Mohammad Haris makes him a genuine threat to the opposition. 

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Nawaz Should Be Preferred Over Khushdil And Faheem

(T20I stats depicting Nawaz as a more impactful all-rounder than Khushdil and Faheem)

• Mohammad Nawaz made a grand comeback to T20I cricket, showcasing his bowling prowess in the West Indies T20Is. He bagged seven wickets in three matches, and his inclusion will certainly benefit Pakistan on the spin-friendly pitch of Sharjah Cricket Stadium. 
• Meanwhile, Khushdil Shah and Faheem Ashraf could be sidelined as they don't bring enough value, neither with the bat nor ball, to the table. 

Will Shaheen Afridi Be Dropped For Recent Poor Form?

• Ace Pakistan speedster Shaheen Afridi hasn't been at his best for quite a while now. Afridi, known for his ability to make the new ball talk at a rapid pace, has bagged only four T20I wickets across six matches this year at an average of 47.75 and a strike rate of 31.50. His economy rate of 9.10 suggests how badly he has struggled to control the flow of runs this year. 
• However, given Shaheen's stature and it being the first match of the Tri-Series, Pakistan should give him ample game time by including him in their playing XI against Afghanistan. He can be a game-changer with his pace and movement in the power play, and with the Asia Cup nearing, Shaheen must play the remaining T20Is to get his mojo before the marquee event. 

Rauf, Wasim Jr In; Muqeem To Get Preference Over Abrar

(T20I stats of Rauf, Wasim Jr and Sufiyan Muqeem)

• Haris Rauf's extra pace and ability to hit the deck ensure variety in Pakistan's bowling attack. Meanwhile, Mohammad Wasim Jr, who was picked over Naseem Shah for the Asia Cup, should be preferred over Hasan Ali due to his superior death bowling skills and late-order hitting. 
• On the other hand, Sufiyan Muqeem should ideally pip Abrar Ahmed for the frontline spinner's slot, having performed admirably in T20Is of late. 

Pakistan's Strongest XI vs Afghanistan

Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Fakhar Zaman, Agha Salman (C), Mohammad Haris (WK), Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem

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