The 5th T20I between Pakistan and New Zealand is currently underway in Wellington. After winning the toss, New Zealand opted to bowl first. Pakistan, already trailing 1-3 in the series, made five significant changes to their playing XI, with the most notable exclusion being star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Why Was Shaheen Afridi Dropped?
Shaheen Afridi has been one of Pakistan’s key bowlers, but his poor form in the series led to his exclusion. In four matches, he managed to take just one wicket while conceding runs at a high economy rate of 10.23 and an average of 66.50. This dip in performance is the primary reason behind his omission.
Other Players Dropped from the Squad
Along with Shaheen Afridi, Pakistan has also dropped:
- Abrar Ahmed
- Khushdil Shah
- Irfan Khan
- Abbas Afridi
These players have been replaced by Omar Bin Yusuf, Usman Khan, Sufiyan Moqim, and Jahanadad Khan as Pakistan looks to test its bench strength in the final match of the series.
Pakistan’s Playing XI for the 5th T20I
- Mohammad Haris
- Hassan Nawaz
- Salman Agha (Captain)
- Omar Bin Yusuf
- Usman Khan
- Shadab Khan
- Abdul Samad
- Sufiyan Moqim
- Jahanadad Khan
- Haris Rauf
- Mohammad Ali
New Zealand Makes Just One Change
While Pakistan has made multiple changes, New Zealand has made only one adjustment to their squad. Since Pakistan has already lost the series, this match is only an opportunity for them to reduce the margin of defeat and experiment with new players.
