Colombo September 13 2023: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have announced that pacer Naseem Shah will be replaced in their Asia Cup squad by Zaman Khan.
Naseem had injured his right shoulder during Pakistan’s Super Four match against India. He is being monitored by the team’s medical panel which is taking all the necessary precautions with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in mind.
Zaman Khan is a right-hand pacer who has represented Pakistan in the T20I format and has already linked up with the squad in Sri Lanka. In six T20Is for Pakistan, he has scalped four wickets at an average of 32.5, with an economy of 6.66.
Pacer Haris Rauf, who didn’t bowl on the reserve day of the Super Four game against India, is also being monitored. The PCB update stated that he is recovering well after experiencing discomfort in his right flank on the first day of the match.
Team doctor Sohail Saleem stated that the pacers were being provided with best possible care,
“These two fast bowlers are our assets and the team’s medical panel will provide them the best possible care ahead of the all-important World Cup.”
Pacer Shahnawaz Dahani is also expected to link up with the squad soon. He will join them on Thursday morning.
Pakistan’s unbeaten run in the Asia Cup was broken during their Super Four clash against India, where the side lost by a record margin of 228 runs. This was their biggest defeat against India in ODIs.
Pakistan’s next Asia Cup contest takes place in the form of a Super Four clash against Sri Lanka. Given the Super Four points table configurations, this is effectively a knockout game for the upcoming Asia Cup final on 17 September. India have already qualified for the final, courtesy of their wins against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
