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Why Have Pakistan Dropped Naseem Shah And Rizwan From 3rd T20I vs Australia?

Rajgeeta Yadav

Pakistan have excluded Naseem and Rizwan [Source: @babarazam258/X]Pakistan have excluded Naseem and Rizwan [Source: @babarazam258/X]

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On November 18, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the playing XI for the third T20I against Australia at Bellerive Oval in Hobart. Fans were shocked to see two big names, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Rizwan, missing from the team XI.

With Australia already securing the series win with an unassailable 2-0 lead after their 13-run victory in the second T20 match. Pakistan have decided to make some surprising changes. In the final clash, Agha Salman will lead the Men In Green, while Naseem Shah and Rizwan have been left out. However, the PCB hasn't officially explained the reason behind these decisions.

Naseem Shah, Pakistan's star pacer, has been struggling recently. In the recent 3-match ODI series, he only managed to take five wickets. In the ongoing T20I series, the right-arm pacer could manage to pick up one wicket in two games with a poor economy rate of 13.50. In the first T20I, he gave away 37 runs for one wicket, and in the second, he went wicketless, conceding 44 runs. 

These underwhelming performances in the shortest format might have led to his exclusion. Naseem Shah has been replaced by left-arm pacer Jahandad Khan.

Salman Ali Agha Replaces Rizwan As Captain

As for Mohammad Rizwan, he has probably been rested for this match since the series has already been lost. Haseebullah Khan has been named as his replacement as the wicket-keeper. However, the final game remains crucial to avoid a clean sweep, and the PCB has decided to experiment with the captaincy by giving Agha Salman the leadership role. 

Agha Salman, who was named Rizwan's deputy for the tour, will now take over as captain for this match. These changes appear to be part of Pakistan’s strategy to give new leadership a chance and shake things up after a disappointing series.