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Why Are Saim Ayub And Haris Rauf Not Playing PAK vs ZIM 3rd T20I?

Debashis Sarangi

Saim Ayub and Haris Rauf are not playing 3rd T20I [Source: @the_sports_x, @faizanlakhani/X]Saim Ayub and Haris Rauf are not playing 3rd T20I [Source: @the_sports_x, @faizanlakhani/X]

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In a significant development, Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first in the final T20I of the ongoing three-match series at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The visitors have made four changes to their playing XI from the last game, replacing Saim Ayub, Irfan Khan, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed with Sahibzada Farhan, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Hasnain and Qasim Akram, respectively. 

Why Are Saim Ayub And Haris Rauf Not Playing 3rd T20I vs Zimbabwe?

Saim Ayub and Haris Rauf have been rested for the third T20I against Zimbabwe, as Pakistan have already clinched the series. Under Agha Salman's leadership, the Men in Green thrashed the Chevrons in two successive games, securing a clinical series victory. 

Therefore, considering they have the South Africa tour coming up, where Saim and Rauf will play a key role, Pakistan have rested the duo to manage their workload. So, in Ayub's absence, talented batter Sahibzada Farhan will open the batting for the visitors, with Qasim Akram playing as the spin-bowling allrounder. 

PAK vs ZIM 3rd T20I Toss Update

After winning the toss, Pakistan's stand-in captain Agha Salman opted to bat first in order to capitalise on the conditions in Bulawayo. While he confirmed four changes in their lineup, the hosts made two changes in their playing XI, replacing Clive Madande and Trevor Gwandu with Wesley Madhevere and Tinotenda Maposa. 

Pakistan playing XI: Omair Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan (wk), Agha Salman (c), Tayyab Tahir, Qasim Akram, Arafat Minhas, Jahandad Khan, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Sufiyan Muqeem

Zimbabwe playing XI: Brian Bennett, Tadiwanashe Marumani (wk), Dion Myers, Sikandar Raza (c), Ryan Burl, Wessly Madhevere, Tashinga Musekiwa, Wellington Masakadza, Richard Ngarava, Blessing Muzarabani, Tinotenda Maposa