JOHANNESBURG: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday, unveiled its national men’s team’s playing XI for the third ODI against South Africa, featuring uncapped left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem.
The green shirts, who lead the three-match series 2-0, made three changes to their lineup as middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir, pacer Mohammad Hasnain and emerging spinner Sufiyan replaced Muhammad Irfan Khan, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed, respectively.
Left-arm spinner earned his place in the lineup on the back of stellar performances in the recently-held T20I series against Zimbabwe, the highlight of which was his record bowling figures of 5/3.
The move is a part of the PCB’s objective to give opportunities to emerging talent, while at the same time, ensuring rotation of the players.
Despite getting out for a duck in each of the first two ODIs, right-handed opener Abdullah Shafique, managed to retain his place in the lineup and will continue to open the innings for the green shirts alongside in-form Saim Ayub, with star batter Babar Azam to follow.
Skipper Mohammad Rizwan, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha and returning Tayyab Tahir form the middle-order.
Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead Pakistan’s bowling attack, further comprised of Naseem Shah, Hasnain and Sufiyan.
Pakistan’s playing XI for third ODI: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (c), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, Tayyab Tahir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain and Sufiyan Muqeem.