Babar Azam was not alone in choosing Pakistan’s playing XI. Along with him, the team’s new chief selector Shahid Afridi also interfered in this.
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Pakistan has announced its playing XI for the first Test against New Zealand. This playing XI was announced by Babar Azam after the toss in Karachi, but he was not the only one to choose it. Along with him, Shahid Afridi, the new chief selector of the team, also interfered in choosing the playing eleven. The captain and the selectors sat down and brainstormed, after which the playing eleven was finalized. And, this is the reason why many shocking names have been seen in the team.
The first big news for Pakistan’s playing XI is related to Mohammad Rizwan. Rizwan has been dropped from the Test team and Sarfaraz Ahmed has been brought back as wicket-keeper batsman in his place.
Sarfaraz Ahmed returned after 4 years
Sarfaraz Ahmed is returning to Pakistan’s Test team after almost 4 years. He played his last Test in January 2019, in which he took 10 catches and scored a half-century. Pakistan will expect similar performance from its senior player after his return.
Mir Hamza will also play after 2018
Apart from Sarfaraz, Mir Hamza has returned to the Pakistan team, who will be part of the playing XI in place of injured Naseem Shah. This left-arm fast bowler last played a Test match for Pakistan in the year 2018.
