LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced the playing squad, which included four debutant players, for the first Twenty20 International against Afghanistan.
The four young players scheduled to make debuts this year include opener Saim Ayub, right-arm quicks Zaman Khan, Ihsanullah, and middle-order batter Tayyab Tahir.
Players set to mark their return to the Pakistan cricket team include top-order batter Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, and all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim.
Saim, who will open alongside Mohammad Haris, has been inducted into the cricket team after a good performance in the domestic circuit and the recently-concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL).
🎥 Revisit the performances in domestic cricket for our four debutants, who will be in action at Sharjah Cricket Stadium today 🏏#AFGvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/mi45WHZo5F
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 24, 2023
“Whatever I had done so far in my life was to achieve this green jersey, and now I want to do justice with this opportunity. There is excitement and an element of nervousness, and I never expected to play for Pakistan this early. However, since I have gotten this opportunity, I am going to do my best,” Saim told PCB Digital.
Achieving the goal of representing Pakistan 🇵🇰✨
Four debutants! Let's hear from the players making their first T20I appearance today 🙌
More details ➡️ https://t.co/pCGbVg0Gyu#AFGvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/BpprChXicD
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) March 24, 2023
“It is essential to give a good start to your side in T20 cricket no matter what opposite side you are playing. You have to assess the playing conditions quickly and make your presence count and that is what I will be planning to do with Mohammad Haris. We have been playing together for the Peshawar Zalmi team and we were batchmates as well. We enjoy good chemistry and our playing style is also similar. We look to dominate the opposition side. So, it will be fun to play with him,” he added.
Pakistan XI for first Afghanistan T20I
Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Abdullah Shafique, Tayyab Tahir, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Zaman Khan and Ihsanullah
