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Former Pakistan wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has unveiled his predicted playing XI for the national team’s opening T20I against South Africa, scheduled later today at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Akmal announced his playing XI on his official X account, featuring uncapped spin bowler Usman Tariq and excluding leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed from the lineup.
He also included pacer Mohammad Wasim Jr, who has featured in 29 T20Is for Pakistan and claimed 36 wickets at an economy of 8.14.
He has been part of several recent squads of Pakistan but has struggled to lock down a permanent spot in the playing XI. His last appearance came against New Zealand in Christchurch in January 2024.
Tariq has garnered attention for his impressive performances in franchise leagues. He represented the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he took 12 wickets in 10 matches.
Following that, he made a strong impact in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2025, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker with 20 wickets in 10 matches for the champion team, Trinbago Knight Riders.
Akmal’s predicted XI also includes Babar Azam, who is set to make his long-awaited return to international cricket.
The prolific right-hander stands just shy of surpassing India’s Rohit Sharma to become the leading run-scorer in T20I history.
Kamran Akmal’s predicted XI for the first T20I
Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha (c), Hassan Nawaz, Usman Khan (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Usman Tariq.
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