WEB DESK: Ahead of Pakistan’s clash with New Zealand in the first of five T20I matches, the availability of explosive batter Azam Khan is uncertain due to an injury scare.
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), Azam reported discomfort in his right knee and calf muscle during Wednesday’s training session. While receiving immediate medical attention, his participation in the upcoming matches hinges on radiology reports, the board stated.
Azam, known for his aggressive batting style, has featured in eight T20Is for Pakistan, scoring 29 runs at an average of 7.83. However, his stellar T20 record, including 3,183 runs in 160 matches at a strike rate of 147.56, earned him a spot in the national squad.
Notably, Azam recently participated in a fitness camp organised by the Pakistan Army at its Kakul facility.
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In related news, sources revealed that star pacer Shaheen Afridi may miss multiple matches in the series due to a rotation policy aimed at managing players’ workload ahead of the 2024 T20 World Cup. While Shaheen is expected to sit out the first two matches, he’s likely to join the squad for the remaining three encounters.
Here are the squads:
Pakistan: Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Amir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan, and Zaman Khan.
New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi, and Zak Foulkes.
