Mohammad Wasim Ruled Out Of Asia Cup 2022: Pakistan bowler Mohammad Wasim was forced to withdraw from the Asia Cup on Friday due to a side strain that he sustained while bowling in Pakistan’s practice session on Wednesday. Hasan Ali has been named as Wasim’s replacement, although that decision must first be approved by the event technical committee.

“He had picked up the injury while bowling in Pakistan’s practice session on Wednesday. The bowler was assessed by the team medical staff, and an MRI scan in Dubai confirmed the diagnosis. The medical team will closely monitor Wasim’s rehabilitation and his return to competitive cricket will be reassessed before the England tour to Pakistan,” the PCB statement read.

“Hasan Ali was sought as a replacement player by the team management and the request was accepted by the chief selector. Hasan had been working on his bowling in the National High-Performance Centre for the past three weeks and is presently in Rawalpindi, preparing for the National T20, which commences on 30 August,” the statement added.

Wasim has played in 11 T20Is since making his debut against the West Indies and has taken 17 wickets at an average of 15.88. His injury is a further setback for Pakistan, who previously lost their key pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi to an injury that has kept him out of the competition.

On Saturday, Afridi was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. He will also be absent from the home series against England, which will starts form September 20. However, he is anticipated to play again in the October New Zealand Tri-Series, which will be followed by the T20 World Cup in Australia. Afridi suffered a right knee ligament injury while fielding during the first Test matchup with Sri Lanka in Galle.

Pakistan will start their Asia Cup 2022 campaign on August 28 against India at the Dubai International Stadium.

While they play there second league match on September 2 against Hong Kong.

The top two teams out of 3 will further advance to the super four next week, followed by final on September 11.