JOHANNESBURG: Vice-captain Salman Ali Agha returns as Pakistan announce their playing XI for the third and final T20I against South Africa at The Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.
Agha’s inclusion is the only change to the squad, as he replaces Usman Khan, who has been struggling with the bat in recent matches.
Khan, having played 18 T20I matches has managed 232 runs with just one fifty, posting a strike rate of 122.75.
The recently unveiled lineup also marks the return of Pakistan's opening pair of star batter Babar Azam and white-ball skipper Mohammad Rizwan, while Saim Ayub has been moved down to bat at number three.
South Africa currently lead the series 2-0, having won both of the opening matches.
In the second T20I, Pakistan posted a competitive total of 206/5, thanks to Ayub's remarkable knock of 98 from 57 deliveries, which included 11 boundaries and five sixes.
He received valuable support from Muhammad Irfan Khan (30 from 16 balls) and Abbas Afridi (11 from 4 balls) as Pakistan’s innings ended just shy of the 210-run target.
However, South Africa chased down the target in 19.3 overs, led by Reeza Hendricks’ sensational 117 off 63 balls, which featured seven boundaries and 10 sixes.
Hendricks was well supported by Rassie van der Dussen, who finished unbeaten on 59 from 39 balls.
Van der Dussen's six off Abbas Afridi in the final over sealed the victory, giving South Africa a dominant position in the series.
Pakistan playing XI for third T20I: Mohammad Rizwan (C/WK), Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir, Salman Ali Agha (VC), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.