Pakistan has replaced three players as it unveiled its playing XI for the third T20 International against New Zealand which will take place in Dunedin tomorrow (Wednesday), reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Muhammad Nawaz, Muhammad Wasim Junior and Zaman Khan were included in the team announced on Tuesday.

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Usama Mir and Aamer Jamal have been dropped from the team while Abbas Afridi was ruled out due to a low-grade abdominal wall muscle strain.

🚨 Pakistan's playing XI for the third T20I 🚨#NZvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/eMkUcP1l1L

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) January 16, 2024

Earlier in the day, the PCB said that Abbas Afridi’s scan showed no sign of significant injury, and “he will be managed symptomatically”. Abbas Afridi’s availability for the last two games will be made at a later stage, the board added.

Afridi’s exclusion would be a big loss to the team as he was the leading wicket-taker for Pakistan along with Haris Rauf, claiming five wickets each.

New Zealand led the five-match series by 2-0 beating Pakistan by 21 runs in the second Twenty20 international played in Hamilton on Sunday.

The tourists threw away a strong position in their run chase after Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman scored half-centuries as they were dismissed for 173 in the final over, in response to New Zealand's 194-8.

Victory came at a cost for the Black Caps, whose captain Kane Williamson retired hurt with a hamstring injury while batting, placing him in doubt for the remainder of the five-match series.

The match bore similarities to New Zealand's 46-run win in the opening match in Auckland on Friday, with another aggressive batting approach led from the top by Finn Allen.

Pakistan’s Playing XI: 

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain,), Azam Khan (wicket-keeper), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saim Ayub, Muhammad Wasim Junior, Mohammad Nawaz and Zaman Khan.

Full schedule:

1st T20 – 12 January 2024 at Eden Park, Auckland

2nd T20 – 14 January 2024 at Seddon Park, Hamilton

3rd T20 – 17 January 2024 at University Oval, Dunedin

4th T20 – 19 January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch

5th T20 – 21 January 2024 at Hagley Oval, Christchurch