Mohammad Rizwan Speaks Out on Pakistan’s Opening Duo for T20s Against Australia

• Pakistan’s White-Ball Captain Mohammad Rizwan Discusses Opening Pair for T20I Series.
• Rizwan clarified the team’s focus on selecting effective options for the three-match T20I series against Australia.
• Mohammad Rizwan breaks silence on opening pair for Australia T20Is.

BRISBANE: Pakistan’s white-ball captain Mohammad Rizwan addressed media inquiries on Wednesday regarding Pakistan’s opening pair for the three-match T20I series against Australia, set to begin on November 14.

Speaking at The Gabba, Rizwan was asked about Pakistan’s lineup for the first T20I and, specifically, the opening combination for the series. In response, he shared that the playing XI would remain “a secret” for now, emphasizing the team’s focus on selecting the most effective options.

“There’s been a lot of talk about the playing XI, but we’ve kept it a secret for now because there are some things I want to keep to myself. Once the decisions are finalized, we’ll share them,” Rizwan stated.

Addressing the opening pair, Rizwan noted, “As for the opening, we always aim to stick with what’s working best, while also focusing on areas that need improvement. I always try to consult with others and make decisions that are in the best interest of Pakistan, whatever the situation may be,”

Leading a new-look squad, Rizwan acknowledged the challenges posed by the absence of experienced players like Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim, and Iftikhar Ahmed, but expressed commitment to fielding a strong team.

“The names you’ve mentioned, it’s not easy to fill the gap they have left. You can’t replace them overnight; it takes time. All four have contributed a lot to the team, and it’s hard to say how long it will take to fill their roles in the Pakistan lineup fully,” he said.

Rizwan further added,

“Hopefully, with time, especially in T20s, we’ll find the right balance. But right now, our focus is on the current series and how we can field the best XI. We’re working on it and have something in mind for that.”

Pakistan’s T20I Squad for Australia Tour: Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan.

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