Pakistan Opt to Bat, Recall Shaheen as They Chase T20I Series Clean Sweep Against Australia

Pakistan Opt to Bat, Recall Shaheen as They Chase T20I Series Clean Sweep Against Australia

Pakistan captain Salman Agha won the toss for the third straight time and once again chose to bat, as the hosts looked to complete a clean sweep of the three-match T20I series against Australia in Lahore.

Pakistan have stuck to the successful template that brought them convincing wins in the first two matches: setting competitive totals and then unleashing a spin-heavy bowling attack that has proved too much for Australia on dry, turning surfaces. The approach has paid rich dividends, with Australia struggling to cope with the conditions throughout the series.

The hosts made three changes to their XI. Fakhar Zaman and Khawaja Nafay were brought into the side, while left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi returned to the team. They replaced Sahibzada Farhan, Usman Khan and Usman Tariq.

Australia, meanwhile, were searching for a turnaround after suffering a heavy defeat just a day earlier, when they were bowled out for 108 — their biggest T20I loss in more than 20 years. With the T20 World Cup looming, and similar spin-friendly conditions expected in Sri Lanka, the visitors will be keen for a confidence-boosting performance.

Australia made four changes to their line-up. Fast bowler Ben Dwarshuis, a late addition to Australia’s World Cup squad in place of Pat Cummins, returned to the side along with wicketkeeper Josh Philippe and allrounders Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Owen. Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Xavier Bartlett and Sean Abbott were left out from the previous match.

Pakistan XI: Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Salman Agha (captain), Babar Azam, Khawaja Nafay (wicketkeeper), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.

Australia XI: Mitchell Marsh (captain), Matthew Short, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Marcus Stoinis, Josh Philippe (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Owen, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Matt Kuhnemann, Adam Zampa.

With momentum firmly on their side, Pakistan will be aiming to close out the series in style, while Australia face a must-win scenario to avoid a whitewash.