In the first T20I match against Australia, Mohammad Rizwan will make his debut as Pakistan’s T20I captain, becoming the 12th player to lead the side in the format. Rizwan takes charge following a confidence-boosting ODI series win over Australia last week, marking Pakistan’s first such triumph over the Aussies in years. The three-match T20I series will unfold in Brisbane, Sydney, and Hobart on November 14, 16, and 18, respectively.
After a training camp in Karachi, six players joined Pakistan’s T20I squad in Brisbane on November 11. Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufiyan Moqim, and Usman Khan will bolster the side as it seeks to extend its winning momentum in Australia.
The last bilateral T20I encounter between Pakistan and Australia was in March 2022, a one-off match in Lahore where Australia emerged victorious. The last T20I series between the two teams in Australia, held in November 2019, saw the hosts win 2-0 after one game ended without a result. Pakistan is hopeful for a stronger showing this time, capitalizing on their recent ODI success.
Australia, meanwhile, will be led by wicket-keeper batter Josh Inglis, who takes over T20I captaincy duties with support from teammates Tim David and Nathan Ellis. Josh Philippe joins the squad, stepping in for injured Cooper Connolly.
Ahead of the series, Rizwan expressed confidence in his team while acknowledging the unpredictable nature of international cricket. “We are confident after beating Australia in the ODI series, but international cricket is always challenging,” he said. “We’ve assigned specific roles to players and look forward to executing our plans, not only in this series but also in our upcoming matches against Zimbabwe and South Africa.”
Rizwan emphasized a team-first mentality, noting that the conditions have generally favored bowlers but that he hopes Pakistan’s batting lineup will rise to the challenge. “I aim to keep everyone involved and positive about the game. Conditions have helped bowlers so far, but we want to prove our strength as a batting unit. I’m looking forward to an exciting contest in these three matches,” Rizwan said.
The first T20I kicks off at Brisbane Cricket Ground at 6 p.m. local time on November 14. Fans will eagerly watch as Rizwan’s Pakistan aims to continue their winning streak and set the tone for the rest of the series.
Pakistan T20I Squad: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan.
