Shaheen Afridi, the newly-appointed captain for Pakistan in T20 Internationals, has indicated that the team will experiment with various player combinations during the upcoming five-match T20I series against New Zealand.
While speaking in a press conference on Thursday, Afridi emphasized the importance of determining the ideal positions for each player in the team.
“Some young players are making a comeback like Azam Khan, Aamer Jamal and Sahibzada Farhan and there are some new players like Haseebullah and Abbas Afridi. We are hoping to give them a chance in these five T20Is and upcoming T20I matches ahead of World Cup,” Afridi said.
While affirming Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as the best opening pair for Pakistan, Afridi stressed the need to assess different combinations in the 17 matches leading up to the World Cup.
“Babar and Rizwan will always be the best opening pair for Pakistan. I think we have 17 matches before the World Cup, and we should try different combinations and try to figure out which player fits in which position and we will try to play them [in that position]. There might be some changes, or maybe not. But the effort will be to have the team combination ready before England tour. In the four T20s against England before T20 World Cup, we should know our best playing XI,” Shaheen said.
Afridi, known for his aggressive style with the ball, expressed his eagerness to bring the same approach to his captaincy role.
“It’s very exciting challenge and proud moment for me to represent Pakistan. Not easy, first time captaincy, new challenge and in New Zealand. We have a very good track record against New Zealand but they are one of the best teams in the world so we’ll try to do our best” he said.
Considering the unique dimensions of Eden Park, Afridi highlighted the challenges for fast bowlers, particularly the small straight boundary.
“As fast bowler I think the straight boundary is very, very small. It’s not easy. I’m always trying to bowl fuller but for me now I also think that is not easy. The square boundary is bigger. So hopefully as a bowling unit we can use that,” he concluded.
