Pakistan team news ahead of T20 clash with Zimbabwe as Sarfraz Ahmed's men look to seal final berth

Waseem Ahmed 11:18 04/07/2018
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  • Mohammad Amir (L) could be in line to return.

    Zimbabwe and Pakistan will lock horns in the T20I tri-series clash at Harare on Wednesday with victory being a must for the hosts if they are to keep their hopes of reaching the final alive.

    Both sides come into the game on the back of defeats to Australia who sit comfortably at the top of the points table.

    For Sarfraz Ahmed’s men, a win in Harare ensures them of a place in the final and as such, the Pakistan spinner might be tempted to bring on the bring guns to cement victory.

    The men in green named have named an unchanged XI in the two games they have played in the tournament so far. The crushing nine-wicket loss to the Aussies broke a run of eight consecutive wins in the format for Pakistan and there could be a number of changes in the side when they take the field at the Harare Sports Club.

    One possibility could be the return of Mohammad Amir in the playing XI after the pace spearhead was rested for the opening two matches. Amir’s chronic knee injury means that his workload is being managed by the team management in the run-up to the 2019 ICC World Cup.

    Hussain Talat's place in the playing XI is not guaranteed.

    Hussain Talat’s place in the playing XI is not guaranteed.

    However, with a place in the decider on the line, Amir’s experience could very well be called upon by Sarfraz. That would mean either one of Usman Khan or Hasan Ali would have to make way.

    In the batting department, Hussain Talat has failed to fire in both matches so far in the No3 spot and he could be another player to make way for a fresh face on Wednesday. If Talat is dropped, 22-year-old Sahibzada Farhan could be in line to make a Pakistan debut though Sarfraz has the option of turning to the more experienced Haris Sohail.

    PAKISTAN LIKELY XI

    Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Hafeez, Sahibzada Farhan, Sarfraz Ahmed (c and wk), Asif Ali, Shoaib Malik, Faheem Ashraf, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Amir.

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