• Pakistan made 3 changes vs. New Zealand.
• Aamer Jamal and Usama Mir were dropped.
• Zaman Khan joins the playing XI.

For Wednesday’s third Twenty20 International match against New Zealand, Pakistan has made three changes.

All-rounder Aamer Jamal and leg-spinner Usama Mir have been left off the starting list, while bowler Abbas Afridi is sidelined with a mild injury to his abdominal wall. Afridi and Haris Rauf were the team’s top wicket takers with five wickets apiece, despite the fact that they had been losing games. His removal would be a significant blow to the side.

For Pakistan, the aforementioned three have been replaced by Zaman Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Muhammad Wasim Jr.

In the second Twenty20 international on Sunday, fast bowler Adam Milne took four wickets as New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 21 runs to grab a 2-0 series lead.

In response to New Zealand’s 194-8, the tourists gave up a commanding lead in their run chase when they were bowled for 173 in the last over, despite half-centuries from Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman.

The Black Caps’ victory came at a price, as captain Kane Williamson had to retire due to a hamstring injury sustained while batting.

Williamson will not participate in the series going forward, coach Gary Stead announced on Monday.

With the first Test match against South Africa less than three weeks away, Stead announced that his top batsman, Williamson, would miss the last two matches in addition to the third game on Wednesday.

“With the Test matches so close as well and in the big scheme of things (they are) a higher priority I think we´ll try and make sure he´s right for that,” Stead stated.

Williamson is anticipated to be replaced in the batting order by Tim Seifert, who Stead said was always scheduled to take Devon Conway’s place as wicketkeeper at some point during the series.

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