Pakistan likely playing XI for third T20I against England

The third T20I between England and Pakistan will be played on Tuesday at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff.

England is ahead in the four-match series with a 1-0 lead after defeating Pakistan in the second T20I, while the first match in Leeds was washed out due to rain.

Gary Kirsten was seen giving throwdowns to Saim Ayub. The left-hand opener spent considering time in the nets during Monday's trainign session. It remains to be seen if Pakistan has ran out of patience with Saim. In case Saim is dropped, he is likely to be replaced by Usman Khan, who will open the innings with his Multan Sultans’ teammate Mohammad Rizwan, with skipper Babar Azam coming in at number three.

The middle order comprises powerful hitters like Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan who will don the wicketkeeping gloves, Iftikhar Ahmed, and all-rounder Imad Wasim, offering the team a solid foundation for scoring runs and accelerating the innings when required.

Pakistan are likely to go with a four-man pace attack which will be led by Shaheen Afridi, and supported by Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Amir.

Shadab had conceded 55 runs in his four overs without taking a wicket in first T20I, marking his worst T20I bowling figures. He is likely to make way for Naseem. The team management's tactical adjustment is also influenced by the prevailing overcast conditions and the anticipated chance of rain. However, if the weather improves, then Abrar Ahmed can also replace Shadab.

Pakistan’s likely XI:

Saim Ayub/Usman Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam (C), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah/Abrar Ahmed, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Amir