Shaheen Afridi To Make Way For Haris Rauf? Pakistan's Probable XI For 2nd T20I vs NZ

Haris Rauf - (Source:@Johns/X.com)

In the first T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand at the Hagley Oval, the hosts thumped the visitors for a nine-wicket win as the Salman Ali Agha-led side found themselves at the centre of criticism. It is worth noting that the new-looking Pakistan side tumbled for 91 runs, their fifth lowest total in T20I history.

Several changes are expected going forward for the 2nd T20I and this article will shed light on Pakistan's probable XI for the upcoming match vs New Zealand. 

Mohammad Haris And Hasan Nawaz To Be Given A Long Rope

Pakistani openers had a day to forget in the first T20I as both Mohammad Haris and debutant Hasan Nawaz registered a duck. They looked likes rookies, but the management would look to provide them a long-rope and make not changes at the top in the 2nd T20I. 

Further, Haris and Nawaz's domestic performance in the past months has earned them the right to be given few more chances before making any changes in the playing XI. 

Bring Usman Khan To Bat At No.3

One of the major blunders committed by Pakistan in the first T20I was to leave Usman Khan out of the playing XI. Further, the management made a few shuffles in the batting order and it went horribly wrong. 

Finisher Irfan Khan was promoted up the order and asked to bat at no.4, while they brought in Mohammad Samad to bat at No.7. Thus, for the second T20I, Salman Ali Agha should bring back Usman Khan in place of Samad and play him at No.3 and reshuffle Irfan Khan to bat at No. 7.

Usman Khan in BPL

Threat To Shadab Khan's Place?

Both captain Salman Agha and vice-captain Shadab Khan had a game to forget and were trolled mercilessly on social media. There are questions raised over Shadab's place in the team and now his failure in the first match has added fuel to the fire. 

However, the Pakistani side won't be experimenting this much as they will back the players with responsibilities on their shoulders. Since Shadab is acting as Salman's deputy, he will feature in the 2nd T20I. 

Shaheen Afridi To Make Way For Haris Rauf? 

Among the bowlers, Shaheen Afridi was the senior-most as he lacked Haris Rauf's support from the other end. However, the left-arm seamer failed to spill magic despite his great stats vs New Zealand. Although, it is unlikely that Pakistan would afford to drop Shaheen. What looks likely is that both Haris Rauf and Shaheen will play together in the 2nd T20I.

Haris has a great record vs New Zealand and the speedster might replace Mohammad Ali in the team, who leaked 25 runs in his three overs and failed to take a solitary wicket. 

Shaheen Afridi vs Haris Rauf against New Zealand in T20Is

Other Possible Changes In The Playing XI?

Other than Haris Rauf and Usman Khan coming in the playing XI, one more change that Pakistan management might look for is to bring in Abbas Afridi for Jahandad Khan. The left-arm seamer leaked 16 runs in a solitary over. Thus, the Men in Green would look to go with some experience in the coming match and eye to level the series 1-1. 

Pakistan's Probable XI For 2nd T20I vs New Zealand

Mohammad Haris, Hasan Nawaz(WK), Usman Khan, Salman Ali Agha (C) Khushdil Shah, Shadab Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf

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