Fakhar Zaman replaces injured Usman Qadir in Pakistan’s World Cup squad. Fakhar, formerly one of the traveling reserves. Is now healthy after suffering a knee injury.
The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup roster for Pakistan has changed. Veteran batsman Fakhar Zaman elevated to the 15-player squad. As a replacement for leg-spinner Usman Qadir.
The seasoned left-hander Zaman suffered a knee injury while fielding in the Asia Cup final against Sri Lanka last month. And initially only chosen for the traveling reserves for the four-week competition in Australia.
Meanwhile, Usman Qadir suffered a hairline fracture to his right thumb. And is now one of the three traveling reserves after failing to make a full recovery.
A PCB statement stated that Qadir will not be available for selection until October 22. After which Pakistan can bring him back into their main squad as an injury substitute. Qadir was injured during the fourth T20I match against England in Karachi on September 25.
The World Cup team will reunite with Fakhar and Shaheen Shah Afridi in Brisbane on Saturday. Both players are given treatment and rehabilitation for knee ailments. Both of them will be able to participate in Pakistan’s official exhibition matches. Played against England on October 17 and Afghanistan on October 19.
Pakistan will launch their campaign against all-time rival India on October 23 at the Iconic MCG.
Updated Pakistan’s World Cup Squad:
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed. Khushdil Shah. Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz & Mohammad Rizwan. Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood.
Traveling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani. and Usman Qadir.
ICC Squad India: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Deepak Hooda, Rishabh Pant. Dinesh Karthik. Hardik Pandya, R Ashwin, Yuzvendra Chahal, Axar Patel. Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Harshal Patel, Arshdeep Singh. Standby Players: Mohammad Shami. Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur