Following Story was posted prior to the beginning of 1st T20 between Pakistan and Scotland in Edinburgh on June 12, 2018.
Pakistan would be a bit relaxed now after drawing a comparatively much tougher Test series against England but yet they need to remain cautious in upcoming two-match T20 Internationals against Scotland which have just beaten the ODI top-ranked England.
Though Pakistan Captain Sarfraz Ahmed has said that they would not take Scotland lightly. Scotland beaten England by six runs on June 10 in Edinburgh, the same venue wherein two T20Is would be played between Pakistan and Scotland on June 12 and 13.
Calum MacLeod’s 140 runs along with reasonable contribution of four of Scotland’s five top order batsmen helped the Side to score 371 runs in 50 overs against England in the Only One Day International (ODI) in Edinburgh.
But in reply, England fell shorts of six runs despite Jonny Bairstow’s 105 runs off just 58 balls with 6 sixes, and were all out for 365 runs in 48.5 overs.
In the last year Scotland defeated 4 Full Members – Afghanistan, England, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe – in 11 50-over games. Remarkable considering get one-eighth ICC cash of Zim, and had spate of early retirements / players unavailable due to lack of opportunities.
— Tim (@timwig) June 10, 2018
If England are the top-ranked team in ICC ODI Ranking, so Pakistan are in ICC T20 Ranking. Out of their last 20 T20Is, Pakistan won 17. In addition, Pakistan remain to be the World T20 Champions.
Following the injury of Babar Azam, the availability of Muhammad Amir is not assured as well for series against Scotland as he is reportedly not fully fit.
Shaheed Afridi may assume the responsibility if Muhammad Amir has to sit in the dug-out. While rest of Pakistan Squad for first T20 against Scotland is likely to be consisting of Fakhar Zaman, Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Muhammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, and Usman Khan.
As per the forecast, rain is expected in Edinburgh but not enough to be considered threatening while the pitch looks to be ideal for batting.
