PAK vs IRE: Pakistan eye multiple changes in second T20I

| 2025-01-16 02:31:15

Babar Azam’s men will play a must-win match in Dublin on Sunday

Abbas Afridi (L) will sit on the bench in the second T20I. — PCB

Pakistan didn’t have the best start in their Ireland tour as they were handed a five-wicket loss in the first T20I of the three-match series on Friday in Dublin.

With just two more matches to play in the series, there is no room for error for the Babar Azam-led unit as a loss on Sunday would mean a series defeat just on the verge of the T20 World Cup 2024.

There were many disappointing performers for Pakistan in the first T20I and as a result, three changes are on the cards. Shadab Khan, Azam Khan and Abbas Afridi are likely to warm the bench tonight.

Mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed will replace Shadab following the latter’s underwhelming display in the first T20I as the all-rounder failed to contribute a single run with the bat and conceded 54 runs in four overs with the ball.

The second change would be all-rounder Salman Ali Agha making his way into the team over Azam Khan, who departed for a duck in Dublin on Friday.

Lastly, pacer Mohammad Amir will be back in the playing XI replacing Abbas Afridi. The left-arm pacer received his Irish visa with a delay and reached the country on Saturday.

Pakistan’s likely playing XI:

Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Agha Salman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abrar Ahmed

Remember, after completing the three-match T20I series against Ireland, Pakistan will travel to England and compete in four T20Is there which will end on May 30.

After the tour of England, Pakistan will leave for the United States to participate in the upcoming T20 World Cup where they are placed in Group A alongside arch-rivals India, Canada, United States and Ireland.