Pakistan’s T20I captain Salman Ali Agha is upbeat as his team gears up to face South Africa in a three-match T20I series later this month. With star players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi in the lineup, Agha believes the team has the right blend of experience and fresh energy to make an impact.
The T20I leg of the series will be played in Lahore and Faisalabad starting October 29.
‘A Few Comebacks and New Faces’
Speaking on the Pakistan Cricket Board’s digital platform, Agha described his squad as “interesting and exciting,” highlighting the mix of returning players and newcomers.
“I think we have a very interesting and exciting side, with a few comebacks and a few new faces as well. I am very excited to lead this team and we really hope to have a great series,” said Agha.
Strong Momentum from Bangladesh Series
Pakistan recently defeated Bangladesh in a home T20I series, and Agha believes that momentum will carry into the South Africa matches.
“We had a great series against Bangladesh at home, and I am hopeful for good results in the upcoming series as well. We just want to execute our plans for a longer period. As I always say, we have a great team — a team that can beat any side. Obviously, South Africa are a very good side; they have a few misses, but still possess a lot of talent,” he added.
Key Players to Watch
- Babar Azam is Pakistan’s leading run-scorer against South Africa in T20Is, with 447 runs in 13 innings.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi leads the bowling charts with 13 wickets in 12 matches.
This experienced duo, combined with fresh talent, gives Pakistan a balanced unit capable of challenging any opposition.
Series Schedule and Venues
The second and third T20Is will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on October 31 and November 1. The tour will then shift to Faisalabad for a three-match ODI series from November 4 to 8 at the Iqbal Stadium, hosting its first ODI since April 2008.
Historically, Pakistan and South Africa have faced each other 24 times in T20Is, winning 12 matches each.
Pakistan Squad for South Africa T20Is
Salman Ali Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq.
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