Babar Azam’s new opening partner for the England T20 series

Pakistan is all set to play 7 T20 matches against England as part of their preparations for the T20 World Cup.

As per latest reports, Pakistan will go into the opening match at the National Stadium in Karachi, with a significant change.

As cricket fans are aware, Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been regularly opening the innings for Pakistan for over a year now.

They have done a phenomenal job too. However, as Rizwan joined the team a bit late, he is unlikely to be part of the playing XI for the first T20I.

In all likelihood, Shan Masood will take his place.

Masood has been in outstanding form for Derbyshire and flourished during his first campaign in county cricket.

He became the first player in the LV Insurance County Championship to reach 1,000 runs.

He also piled up 547 runs during Derbyshire’s run to the T20 Blast quarter-finals and struck 145 in three Royal London Cup matches.

Rizwan is unlikely to play the first half of the Karachi leg of the matches. He is expected to return to the team with third or fourth T20I, as per sources.

Besides Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman will also be missing the playing XI, due to injury.

In fact, Zaman has already been ruled out of the series against England and has reached England for rehabilitation.

Mohammad Wasim Jr, who missed the Asia Cup due injury, is likely to make a comeback in the playing XI.