HOBART –Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat first in the third and final T20I against Australia at the Hobart Cricket Ground on Monday (today).
Pakistan faces the threat of series whitewash as Australia already led the three-match series with a decisive 2-0 advantage.
Pakistan’s performance in the second T20 match was lackluster, marked by poor fielding and slow batting.
Chasing a manageable target of 148 runs, the national team faltered, bowled out for 134 runs, leading to a 13-run defeat and handing the series to Australia.
Former captain Babar Azam’s prolonged dip in form remains a concern.
However, captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed optimism about his team’s ability to secure a win in the final game.
Despite the loss, pacer Haris Rauf achieved a major milestone in the second match.
By taking four wickets, Rauf became Pakistan’s joint-highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals, tying with Shadab Khan. Both players have taken 107 wickets as Rauf achieved the feat in 74 matches and Shadab in 104.
Pakistan has made two changes for today’s match.
Regular captain Mohammad Rizwan has been rested and is not suffering from any injury.
In his absence, Salman Ali Agha is leading the team while Haseebullah takes over wicketkeeping duties. Besides it, Naseem Shah has been replaced by debutant Jahandad Khan.
Playing XIs:
Pakistan: Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Sahibzada Farhan, Babar Azam, Haseebullah (Wicketkeeper), Usman Khan, Mohammad Irfan Khan Niazi, Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, and Sufiyan Muqeem.
Australia: Jack Fraser, Matthew Short, Josh Inglis (Captain), Glenn Maxwell, Tim David, Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Xavier Bartlett, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, and Spencer Johnson.
