At least one newcomer in the Pakistani squad will make his T20I debut for the Green Shirts with Saim Ayub expected to make the playing XI against Afghanistan in the first of the three-match series.
The 20-year-old showed off his new jersey on Instagram after realising one of his dreams.
“I wanted you from the day one. I wanted to do everything to have you, now I’ve earned you so I promise I’ll do everything to never let you down Pakistan. Keep supporting and Remembering in your prayers in this Holy month of Ramadan,” the batter wrote on his Instagram account.
Saim Ayub earned a shot at making his T20I debut after starring for Peshawar Zalmi during their PSL 8 run which lasted until Eliminator 2.
He finished third on the team’s scoring charts with 341 runs in 12 innings with the help of five 50s a strike rate of 165.5 and a batting flair which caught everyone’s eyes. Only Mohammad Haris (350 runs) and Babar Azam (522) were ahead of him on Zalmi’s batting charts.
Saim is likely to retain his opening slot alongside his teammate Mohammad Haris as Pakistan looks to build a more aggressive side than the reliable pair of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
The first of the three matches between Afghanistan and Pakistan will be played tonight in Sharjah.
