Shadab Khan To Be Dropped? Pakistan's Probable XI For 5th T20I Vs New Zealand

Pakistan to drop Shadab Khan? [Source: @DoubleUQureshi/X.com]

The inevitable has happened and New Zealand have sealed the T20I series as they lead 3-1 with a game still to be played. Pakistan had a young squad and a lot was expected of them, but the visitors had a lacklustre showing. However, the team still has a game left to salvage their pride.

For Pakistan, barring Haris Rauf, none of their players have performed in the series. The batters played exceedingly well in the 3rd T20I, but that was it as the team have been a disappointment. Several players should be dropped for the dead rubber game on Wednesday and here is the probable XI for the 5th T20I.

Shadab to be dropped?

The newly appointed Pakistan vice-captain, Shadab Khan has been a disappointment throughout the series. He was out of form even before getting picked for the New Zealand T20Is, and the trend continued as he failed with both the bat and the ball.

(Shadab Khan stats Vs NZ)

As the numbers state, Shadab has been below average with both bat and ball and has only scored 30 runs in the series, with a strike-rate of 125. Moreover, he has only taken a solitary wicket as the batters have taken him to the cleaners.

In ideal circumstances, he should be dropped for the 5th T20I with other newcomers getting their deserving chance.

Shaheen to face the axe as well?

Shaheen Afridi, just like Shadab has been below average in the series. While Rauf takes wickets from one end, Shaheen allows the game to slip away from their grasp and moreover, his pace has also taken a big hit.

(Shaheen stats Vs NZ)

The numbers don't lie, Shaheen has looked out of sorts as the batters have played him with utmost ease. He has only taken 2 wickets in the series and the economy has almost touched 11 runs per over as the batters have made a mockery of his bowling. With a dead rubber on Wednesday, time has come for Pakistan to drop their out of form pacer.

Who will replace Shadab and Shaheen?

Usman Khan, who is perhaps Pakistan's biggest power-hitter is warming the bench. He can easily clear the smaller New Zealand ground and should replace Shadab in the playing XI.

If Shaheen gets dropped, Jahandad Khan should come in his place. The pacer is raw and is still young and will be a like-to-like replacement as he, too, is a left-arm pacer. The pacer was dropped from the T20I series after two failures, but he should be given another chance to redeem himself.

The rest of the squad should remain the same as Pakistan will eye and win the final T20I to salvage their pride.

Pakistan probable XI for 5th T20I

Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (c), Irfan Khan, Khushdil Shah, Usman Khan, Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

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