Following a humiliating defeat to India in the T20 World Cup, the Pakistan cricket team management is reportedly disappointed with the performance of senior players and is considering changes ahead of the next mach.
Sources indicate that captain Babar Azam and fast bowler Shaheen Afridi could be rested in the upcoming match to give opportunities to other players from the bench.
Possible Team Changes
For the crucial clash against Namibia on February 18, the management is evaluating two to three changes in the playing XI.
The move aims to strengthen bench depth and give lesser-used players a chance to perform on the big stage.
Match Importance
Pakistan must beat Namibia to secure a spot in the Super Eight stage of the tournament, making the match a “do-or-die” scenario. Even if the game is affected by rain, Pakistan will still advance to the Super Eights.
The management’s strategy highlights a push to balance experience with fresh talent, addressing concerns over senior players’ inconsistent performances in the tournament so far.
Earlier, in a high-stakes ICC T20 World Cup group match, India defeated Pakistan by 61 runs to secure a place in the Super Eight stage. The match was played at Colombo’s Premadasa Stadium.
Pakistan captain Salman Agha won the toss and invited India to bat first. Notably, the two captains did not shake hands at the toss.
India posted 175/7 in their allotted 20 overs.
Opener Abhishek Sharma was dismissed for a duck by Salman Agha in the first over.
Eshan Kishan scored 77 off 40 balls before being bowled by Saim Ayub.
Saim Ayub also dismissed Tilak Varma (25) and Hardik Pandya (0) in the 15th over.
Indian captain Surya Kumar Yadav made 32 before being out off Usman Tariq, while other contributions included Dubey (27) and Axar Patel (0).
Pakistan’s Saim Ayub claimed three wickets, Usman Tariq took one, and both Shahin Afridi and Salman Agha picked one each. One player was run out.
Chasing 176, Pakistan was bundled out for 114 in 18 overs.
Top scorer: Usman Khan (44)
Other contributions: Shadab Khan (14), Faheem Ashraf (10)
India’s bowling highlights included Hardik Pandya, Varun Chakravarthy, Jasprit Bumrah, and Axar Patel taking two wickets each, while Tilak Varma and Kuldeep Yadav claimed one apiece.
Team Changes
Pakistan fielded the same playing XI as before: Saeem Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Salman Agha, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Muhammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shahin Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, and Usman Tariq.
India made two changes, bringing in Abhishek Sharma and Kuldeep Yadav into their playing XI.
The win ensures India’s progression to the Super Eight stage, leaving Pakistan’s campaign under pressure.