Pakistan Skipper for Afghanistan series Shadab khan believes that his new-look and much younger team will give Afghanistan a tough time in the T20 series in Sharjah from today.


PCB has decided to rest senior players and also a top run scrorer in recent domestic league. Shadab khan replaces Babar Azam. Some other players who have a tremendous PSL season but are resting for this series include senior Muhammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf.


“It is a great honour for me to be leading Pakistan,” Shadab said on Thursday. “As a player, this is the highest you can go in your career.
“I am very excited for the upcoming three T20Is. We have a brilliant mix of youth and experience, which makes us a well-balanced side, and we have what it takes to win this series.”

RELATED STORIES


Shadab previously led Pakistan in a three-match T20I series in New Zealand when Babar was injured, losing 2-1.

Batters Saim Ayub, Pacer Zaman Khan and Ihsan Ullah are uncapped while Imad Wasim, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Abdullah Shafique recalls for the National team.


Afghanistan have also recalled former skipper Mohammad Nabi after leaving him out of the three-match T20 series against the United Arab Emirates that they won 2-1 last month.

Rashid Khan will lead Afghanistan side after Afghan tigers replace Muhammad Nabi.


Shadab said Afghanistan was a dangerous side “and they have some good T20 players in their side but I am very confident with the players that I have in my squad”.

Pakistan has beaten Afghanistan in all three previous T20Is — a one-off match in 2013 in Sharjah, T20 World Cup 2021 and Asia Cup last year.

Pakistan agreed to play the series — the first bilateral between the two countries — in place of three one-day Intern­ationals that Afghanistan were supposed to play against Australia this month.

Cricket Australia pulled out of that series following an announcement from Afghanistan’s ruling Taliban that it was banning university education for girls and not forming a women’s cricket team.

Afghanistan Cricket Board chief executive Naseeb Khan hoped fans will enjoy a good series.

“Both nations have passionate fans that support their teams with enthusiasm and pride,” said Naseeb. “As neighbours, we have a special bond and we hope to showcase not only our cricketing skills but also the spirit of friendship and sportsmanship.”