Pakistan expected to make changes for the final T20I
After clinching the three-match T20I series, Pakistan is expected to give its fringe players the opportunity in the upcoming dead rubber against Australia, as confirmed by T20 skipper, Mohammad Hafeez.
"We might try a couple of things because I believe everybody should get a chance," he said.
Following their emphatic victory in the opening T20I, the Men in Green again kept their opponents at bay with a nail-biting Super-Over win in the second game, which also sealed a first series triumph for Hafeez since he took on the T20 captaincy in June this year.
With the T20 World Cup starting in just over a week’s time, the final game now allow both sides to tinker with their formations and give its benched player some significant game time under their belt.
The Green Shirts had gone with similar line-ups in both matches, which meant that Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Sami and Yasir Arafat remained unutilized. Shahid Afridi also remained on the sidelines due to a thump injury.
While Afridi’s inclusion for the final match remains in doubt, it is expected that the other three rested trio might get a game, despite Hafeez not revealing the final composition. Shafiq has been an integral part of the ODI and Test team in recent times, while Sami has gradually put himself back into contention through strong domestic performances. As for Yasir, he has been a regular T20 performer across the globe.
"Definitely we will give a chance to some of the players who have been sitting on the bench. I know they are good enough."
The skipper was also pleased with the series clinching victory, and praised the players for their never-say-die attitude.
"As a captain I'm very pleased the way the boys are responding under pressure," Hafeez said. "Especially matches like that when you win you always get the right feeling back in the dressing room and everybody is very confident to do the job for Pakistan. Whenever I ask for someone to do the job everybody is there. As a captain I feel very proud of my team."
The Men In Green will play their first match of the WorldT20 Cup against New Zealand on September 23.
© 2012 Pakistan Cricket News - PCN
"We might try a couple of things because I believe everybody should get a chance," he said.
Following their emphatic victory in the opening T20I, the Men in Green again kept their opponents at bay with a nail-biting Super-Over win in the second game, which also sealed a first series triumph for Hafeez since he took on the T20 captaincy in June this year.
With the T20 World Cup starting in just over a week’s time, the final game now allow both sides to tinker with their formations and give its benched player some significant game time under their belt.
The Green Shirts had gone with similar line-ups in both matches, which meant that Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Sami and Yasir Arafat remained unutilized. Shahid Afridi also remained on the sidelines due to a thump injury.
While Afridi’s inclusion for the final match remains in doubt, it is expected that the other three rested trio might get a game, despite Hafeez not revealing the final composition. Shafiq has been an integral part of the ODI and Test team in recent times, while Sami has gradually put himself back into contention through strong domestic performances. As for Yasir, he has been a regular T20 performer across the globe.
"Definitely we will give a chance to some of the players who have been sitting on the bench. I know they are good enough."
The skipper was also pleased with the series clinching victory, and praised the players for their never-say-die attitude.
"As a captain I'm very pleased the way the boys are responding under pressure," Hafeez said. "Especially matches like that when you win you always get the right feeling back in the dressing room and everybody is very confident to do the job for Pakistan. Whenever I ask for someone to do the job everybody is there. As a captain I feel very proud of my team."
The Men In Green will play their first match of the WorldT20 Cup against New Zealand on September 23.
© 2012 Pakistan Cricket News - PCN
