Who will open for Pakistan in first T20I against Australia?

Pakistan’s white-ball captain, Mohammad Rizwan, addressed the media on Wednesday ahead of the upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia, scheduled to begin on November 14. 

Rizwan was questioned about the team’s lineup and the opening pair for the series, but he revealed that the playing XI would remain a "secret" for now.

While speaking at The Gabba, Rizwan emphasized that the team would focus on selecting the best available options for the opening pair, stressing that consistency and improvement would guide their choices. 

He also hinted that discussions regarding the lineup were ongoing, and the final decisions would be shared closer to match time.

“There’s been a lot of talk about the playing XI, but we’ve kept it a secret for now because there are some things I want to keep to myself,” Rizwan said. “Once the decisions are finalized, we’ll share them.”

On the opening pair, Rizwan explained, "We always aim to stick with what’s working best, while also focusing on areas that need improvement. I always try to consult with others and make decisions that are in the best interest of Pakistan, whatever the situation may be."

Rizwan, who will lead a revamped Pakistan squad in the series, also acknowledged the absence of key senior players, including Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Amir, Imad Wasim, and Iftikhar Ahmed. 

While the gaps left by these players are significant, Rizwan remained confident that the current team could field the best XI for the series.

“The names you've mentioned, it's not easy to fill the gap they have left. You can’t replace them overnight; it takes time. All four have contributed a lot to the team, and it's hard to say how long it will take to fill their roles in the Pakistan lineup fully,” Rizwan remarked. "But right now, our focus is on the current series and how we can field the best XI."

Pakistan’s squad for the T20I series in Australia includes Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, and Usman Khan.

The first match of the series will take place on November 14, with Pakistan looking to field a balanced side despite the absence of key players from the previous lineup.