Web Desk: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first in the 35th Group A match against Namibia, a crucial encounter with tournament standings on the line. The day-and-night fixture is set to start at 3 p.m. local time, with both sides keen to gain an edge in the tightly contested group. Pakistan has made two key changes to its playing XI ahead of the match.
Pakistan has fielded a mix of youth and experience in a strong batting and bowling combination. Sahibzada Farhan will slot into the middle order, while all-rounder Saeem Ayub is expected to play a key role alongside captain Salman Agha. Babar Azam will anchor the batting lineup, supported by wicketkeeper-batsmen Usman Khan and Khawaja Nafees.
All-rounders Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, and Faheem Ashraf add depth and balance across both departments, while Salman Mirza and Usman Tariq will lead the bowling attack. Notably, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Abrar Ahmed have been left out of the playing XI for this match.
Namibia, led by captain Gerhard Erasmus, will rely on experienced all-rounders Jan Frylinck and JJ Smit to anchor their innings. Their bowling lineup includes Ruben Trumpelmann, Bernard Scholtz and Jake Brisse, while wicketkeeper Zane Green takes on leadership duties behind the stumps.
Conditions at the SSC Ground are expected to favor batting, and Pakistan will aim to post a big total. Namibia, meanwhile, will focus on taking early wickets to apply pressure and control the pace of the game.
This match marks T20 International number 3722, continuing the series of high-intensity contests in the tournament, as both teams look to strengthen their positions in Group A.
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