Pakistan is set to face South Africa in the second T20I at Centurion Park today, with a notable change in their playing XI. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that left-arm pacer Jahandad Khan will replace spinner Sufiyan Muqeem in the lineup.
Jahandad, who debuted against Australia last month, made an impact by taking one wicket for 17 runs in his three-over spell. The young bowler has four wickets to his name in as many T20Is, making him a promising addition to Pakistan’s pace attack.
The team will rely on skipper Mohammad Rizwan and star batter Babar Azam to open the innings, followed by Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, and Tayyab Tahir in the batting order. Pakistan’s bowling unit features experienced pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, alongside Muhammad Irfan Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, and spinner Abrar Ahmed.
This change comes after Pakistan’s 11-run defeat in the first T20I at Kingsmead Cricket Stadium, Durban. South Africa posted an imposing total of 184/9, powered by veteran batter David Miller’s explosive 82 off 40 balls. Although Shaheen Shah Afridi dismissed Miller in the 14th over, a late surge by George Linde (48 runs) further cemented the Proteas’ strong position.
Chasing the target, Pakistan struggled under pressure, finishing at 172/8. Rizwan’s 74 off 62 balls was the standout performance, supported only by Saim Ayub (31 off 15) and Tayyab Tahir (18 off 18) in double figures. Despite Rizwan’s effort, the team fell short of the required run rate, handing South Africa a series lead.
The Pakistan playing XI for the second T20I against South Africa includes Mohammad Rizwan as captain and wicketkeeper, Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Tayyab Tahir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Jahandad Khan, Haris Rauf, and Abrar Ahmed.