NZ v PAK 2024: Abbas Afridi ruled out with injury as Pakistan announce playing XI for third T20I against New Zealand

The third T20I is scheduled to be held in Dunedin on January 17.

Pakistan on Tuesday (January 16) announced their playing XI for the third T20I against New Zealand, scheduled for January 17 in Dunedin.

The Men in Green have made three changes to their line-up, with one of them being forced. Right-arm pacer Abbas Afridi has been ruled out of the third T20I due to discomfort from a low grade abdominal wall muscle strain.

“His scan has shown no sign of significant injury, and he will be managed symptomatically. His availability for the last two games will be made at a later stage,” PCB said in a media release.

The other two changes include seam-bowling all-rounder Aamer Jamal and leg-spinner Usama Mir getting left out of the XI.

Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Zaman Khan have been chosen in the playing XI for the aforementioned players.

Having lost the first two games, the visitors are facing a must-win situation to stay alive in the five-T20I series. While Pakistan lost the series opener in Auckland by 46 runs, they suffered a 21-run defeat in the second game in Hamilton.

Pakistan’s playing XI for third T20I:

Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi (c), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan