Pakistan Playing XI vs India: Pakistan to bat first, Shaheen Afridi returns for blockbuster clash at MCG, Fakhar Zaman misses out

Pakistan Playing XI vs India: ICC T20 World Cup 2022 Pakistan bat first – India skipper Rohit Sharma won the toss and inserted Pakistan in to bat first. Shaheen Shah Afridi returns for the blockbuster clash against India. However, Fakhar Zaman has been ruled out. As for Shan Masood, he is also all set for the mega clash after receiving doctors’ clearance. He was hit on the head during Pakistan’s practice on Friday. But questions still persist as the Pakistan captain and team management ponder upon their combination for the game. India vs Pakistan will be played at the MCG on October 23. Follow IND vs PAK LIVE updates on Insidesport.IN

PAK PLaying XI: Babar Azam, Mohammed Rizwan, Shan Masood, Haider ALi, Mohammad Nawaz, Asif Ali, Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afrdi, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah

GAME DAY 💪#WeHaveWeWill | #T20WorldCup | #INDvPAK pic.twitter.com/AqvU79z8is

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 23, 2022

India Playing XI vs PAK: Rishabh Pant to SIT-OUT, but Rohit Sharma still…

IND PAK Weather UPDATE: Good news for India vs Pakistan match, Melbourne Weather improves, rain forecast reduces to 20%: Follow LIVE UPDATES

Pakistan Playing XI vs India: Fakhar Zaman RULED OUT, Shaheen Afridi returns for blockbuster clash at MCG – Follow ICC T20 World Cup 2022 LIVE

PAK Playing XI vs IND: Pakistan enter into the T20 World Cup on the back of a fine win in the tri-series, including New Zealand and Bangladesh. With many new faces in the team compared to their run to the semi-finals last year, Babar Azam would hope that his team can pull through and register yet another win over arch-rivals India.

In what is a huge boost to those hopes in the return of Shaheen Afridi, who bowled full tilt against Afghanistan in the rain-abandoned second warm-up match. The 21-year-old nailed a toe-crushing yorker to get rid of Rahmanullah Gurbaz and followed it up with the wicket of Hazratulah Zazai. Having accounted for India’s top 3 in the match last year, Shaheen will have tails up in front of a 100,000 crowd at the MCG.

“Fakhar Zaman’s recovery is going well. But he’s not fully fit yet and won’t be available for the match against India. I believe in my middle-order. Any player can surprise on the day. You never know,” Babar Azam said at the pre-match press conference.

Probable Pakistan Playing XI vs India

Babar Azam (captain)
Mohammed Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
Haider Ali
Shan Masood
Mohammad Nawaz
Asif Ali
Shadab Khan
Mohammad Wasim Jr
Naseem Shah
Shaheen Afridi
Haris Rauf

Much of Pakistan’s core is set, with Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan being the torchbearers at the top of the order. The most prolific batting pair in t20s will continue to open the innings despite recent criticism levied at their lack of intent at the top. Spinning all-rounders Mohammad Nawaz and Shadab Khan will take up the roles of middle-order enforcers, with Asif Ali being the side’s designated finisher.

Pakistan Playing XI vs India: Pakistan to bat first, Shaheen Afridi returns for blockbuster clash at MCG, Fakhar Zaman misses out – Follow ICC T20 World Cup 2022 LIVE

Shan Masood has emerged as a reliable option in the Pakistan top 4 and will keep his place in the side after runs in the first warm-up game. That leaves with a solitary batting spot left, with Haider Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Khushdil Shah and Iftikhar Ahmed all fighting for the spot. Haider and Fakhar are earmarked for the No.3 spot, and Babar will have to choose between the experience of Zaman and the youthful exuberance of Ali.

Brisbane 🛫 Melbourne #WeHaveWeWill | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/dbujGObnec

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 20, 2022

With Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz taking up spin duties, Babar Azam will opt for a four-pronged pace attack with conditions suiting fast bowling. Shaheen Afridi will naturally lead the attack with Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah. Mohammad Wasim Jr’s batting ability helps leapfrog Mohammad Hasnain in the pecking order, and will slot in at No.8.

Should Pakistan want to extend their batting, they could add another batter to their line up with Nawaz and Shadab pushing down the order. Wasim Jr they will have to warm the bench. However, it would leave Pakistan’s bowling options very thin.