Image credit | ICC
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced Shoaib Malik as the replacement for injured Sohaib Maqsood in the national T20 World Cup squad.
Malik replaces injured Sohaib Maqsood in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2021. The development comes after Maqsood was ruled out of the World Cup with a back injury.
Sohaib had undergone MRI scans on Thursday after picking up the injury during a match against Northern and consequently missed October 7 match against Central Punjab.
“Sohaib is devastated to miss out on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup as he had worked hard for this event and was in sparkling form. We feel for him but injuries are part and parcel of the sport. I am sure after undergoing rehabilitation, he’ll fully recover to be available for future assignments.
Sohaib Maqsood Ruled Out of T20 World Cup With Back Injury
“In his place and following discussions with the team management, we have decided to include Shoaib Malik in the side. I am sure Shoaib’s experience will be handy for the entire squad.”
Malik, who captained Pakistan in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup, will add much-needed depth and in the batting lineup as well as the experience. He can also be a handy bowling option on UAE’s spin-friendly tracks.
The national squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 will depart for the UAE, on October 15. They will play two warm-up matches against the West Indies and South Africa on 18 and 20 October, respectively before taking on India in a Group-2 fixture on 24 October at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan T20 World Cup squad
Babar Azam (captain, Central Punjab), Shadab Khan (vice-captain, Northern), Asif Ali (Northern), Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Haider Ali (Northern), Haris Rauf (Northern), Hasan Ali (Central Punjab), Imad Wasim (Northern), Mohammad Hafeez (Central Punjab), Mohammad Nawaz (Northern), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper, Sindh), Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) and Shoaib Malik (Central Punjab)
Travelling reserves – Khushdil Shah (Southern Punjab), Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh) and Usman Qadir (Central Punjab)
