KARACHI: Rising right-arm batsman Khawaja Nafe is expected to open for Pakistan alongside Saim Ayub in the former champions’ ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign opener against the Netherlands at the Sinhala Sports Club (SSC) on Saturday.
According to details, the team management has chosen Sahibzada Farhan to replace Sahibzada Farhan in the opening match of Champions 2009 in the 20-team mega event to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
The 23-year-old Nafey has played two T20Is so far, with his most recent appearance in Pakistan’s final match against Australia, likely to be replaced by the experienced Faqar Zaman if he is included in the upcoming tournament.
Meanwhile, Babar Azam retains his place and will bat at No.4 as captain Salman Ali Agha continues to bat in the top order.
Babar will be accompanied by wicket-keeper batsman Usman Khan and the all-round trio of Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and Faheem Ashraf in the middle order.
On the bowling front, however, the Green Shirts are expected to continue to rely on a spin department comprising Abrar Ahmed, Saim, Nawaz and Shadab, while Shaheen Shah Afridi and Salman Mirza will provide the pace option.
Pakistan’s Probable Playing XI Against Netherlands:
Saim Ayub, Khawaja Nafe, Salman Ali Agha (catch), Babar Azam, Shatab Khan, Usman Khan (week), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Faheem Ashraf, Salman Mirza and Abrar Ahmed.
Syed Yahya Hussaini
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