Pakistan skipper Babar Azam is to be rested for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan and Pacer Shaheen Afridi may be Captained the Team.
According to PCB sources, apart from Babar, Mohammad Rizwan will also be rested for the series that will be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Also Read: Babar Azam is a Bigger Diamond than Kohinoor, says fellow cricketer Shadab Khan
Moreover, the selectors are likely to choose Saim Ayub, Haseebullah Khan, Azam Khan, and pacer Ihsanullah for the Afghanistan T20 series. Apart from this former Pakistan cricketer Muhammad Yousuf is set to be named as the interim head coach of the national men’s team for the series against Afghanistan.
The decision is likely to be taken because the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was not able to finalize the agreement for the role of head coach with Mickey Arthur.
The development comes a day after the schedule of the three-match T20I series between Pakistan and Afghanistan was revised in order to avail new broadcasting technology.
Earlier, the matches were set to be played on the 25th, 27th, and 29th of March at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. However, they will now take place on March 24, 26, and 27 in the same stadium.
“Afghanistan Cricket Board and Pakistan Cricket Board have jointly agreed to make slight tweaks to the itinerary of Afghanistan’s home three-match T2OI series against Pakistan. The start of the series is brought forward by a day and will now start on March 24, with the last two games to be played on March 26 and 27 in Sharjah, UAE,” ACB said in a statement.
“The changes in itinerary are made due to the unavailability of the Hawk-Eye Technology for the previously agreed upon dates. The two boards have agreed upon the changes in the itinerary to ensure all the necessary broadcast technologies are available for the inaugural T20I series between the two sides,” it added.
Matches Schedule
- March 24: 1st T20I, Sharjah
- March 26: 2nd T20I, Sharjah
- March 27: 3rd T20I, Sharjah