Fri Mar 21 06:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Pakistan Drops Spinner Abrar Ahmed for Second T20 Against New Zealand
**Dunedin, New Zealand:** Rain-delayed and reduced to a 15-over-a-side match, the second T20 between Pakistan and New Zealand saw a surprising change in the Pakistan lineup. Following a 9-wicket defeat in the opening match, Pakistan captain Salman Agha made the bold decision to drop spinner Abrar Ahmed from the playing XI, despite Ahmed being the only Pakistan bowler to take a wicket in the first game (1 wicket for 15 runs in 2.1 overs). Fast bowler Haris Rauf replaces him.
The decision is likely influenced by the wet outfield conditions in Dunedin following heavy rain. Spinners often struggle on damp pitches. Ahmed, who previously gained attention for his unique wicket celebration against Shubman Gill in the Champions Trophy, finds himself on the sidelines for this crucial match.
Pakistan will be looking to bounce back from their heavy loss in the first match and level the five-match series.
**Playing XIs:**
**Pakistan:** Mohammad Haris (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Agha (c), Irfan Khan, Shadab Khan, Khushdil Shah, Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Ali.
**New Zealand:** Tim Seifert, Finn Allen, Mark Chapman, Daryl Mitchell, Jimmy Neesham, Mitchell He (wk), Michael Bracewell (c), Jake Foulkes, Ish Sodhi, Ben Sears, Jacob Duffy.
First Piper 