After Shaheen, Wasim Jr ruled out of Asia Cup squad due to injury

Published August 26, 2022
This combination of photos shows Hasan Ali (L) and Muhammad Waseem Jr. — Photos via PCB/EspcCricinfo
This combination of photos shows Hasan Ali (L) and Muhammad Waseem Jr. — Photos via PCB/EspcCricinfo

Fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jr has been ruled out of the T20 Asia Cup due to injury and will be replaced by pacer Hasan Ali, who was earlier dropped from a 15-member squad, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Friday.

The tournament will be played in the United Arab Emirates from Aug 27 to Sep 11.

Chief Selector Muhammad Wasim had on Aug 3 unveiled the Asia Cup squad sans Hasan, who he said “was given a break from international cricket”.

According to a PCB statement issued today, Wasim Jr suffered a left side strain during a practice session on Wednesday. “The bowler was assessed by the team medical staff, and MRI scan in Dubai confirmed the diagnosis.”

The cricket board said a medical team will closely monitor Wasim’s rehabilitation and his return to competitive cricket will be reassessed before the England tour to Pakistan.

Hasan Ali has been named as Wasim’s replacement, which is subject to the Event Technical Committee’s approval, it added.

Hasan was player of the tournament in Pakistan’s Champions Trophy win in 2017. But the 28-year-old took just three wickets in two Tests in Sri Lanka last month, claimed only three wickets for 222 runs in his last three ODIs, and went wicket-less in two of his last three T20 internationals.

“As soon as the ETC approves Hasan as a replacement player, the bowler will depart for the UAE,” the PCB said.

It added that Hasan 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 Aug 30.”

Earlier this week, the PCB had announced Mohammad Hasnain will replace Shaheen Shah Afridi for the Asia Cup who had sustained a right knee ligament injury during the Test series in Sri Lanka last month.

Pakistan will take on India in their Asia Cup 2022 opener in Dubai on Aug 28 (Sunday), while their second Group A fixture will be against a qualifier (UAE, Kuwait, Singapore or Hong Kong) in Sharjah on Sep 2 (Friday).

The super four matches will be played from September 3-9.

Squad for T20 Asia Cup: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Hasan Ali (subject to approval from ETC), Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir.

Opinion

Editorial

‘Source of terror’
Updated 29 Mar, 2024

‘Source of terror’

It is clear that going after militant groups inside Afghanistan unilaterally presents its own set of difficulties.
Chipping in
29 Mar, 2024

Chipping in

FEDERAL infrastructure development schemes are located in the provinces. Most such projects — for instance,...
Toxic emitters
29 Mar, 2024

Toxic emitters

IT is concerning to note that dozens of industries have been violating environmental laws in and around Islamabad....
Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...