Pakistan have been dealt a major blow. Bowling all-rounder Mohammad Wasim suffered back pain during training in Dubai ahead of the high-octane clash against India on August 28.
According to a report by ESPNCricinfo, Wasim complained of pain in lower back during a practice session at the ICC Academy. Following the complaint, he underwent an MRI scan. So far, the reports suggest the scan is precautionary as they are taking injury scares seriously after Shaheen Afridi fiasco. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) does not want a repeat of Shaheen with T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia few months away.
The young pacer has played 11 T20Is so far and picked up 17 wickets at an average of 15.88 including a four-fer. In the last T20I clash against Australia, he picked up the wickets of all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Cameron Green in middle overs.
Ahead of Asia Cup 2022, Pakistan have also added Umar Rashid as assistant fast bowling coach. The addition has been done on the recommendation of head coach Saqlain Mushtaq. Shaun Tait's assistant had earlier helped Mohammad Hasnain to return to competitive cricket after he got reported for suspect bowling action during BBL 2021-22.
Hasnain has been added in the squad after Shaheen was ruled out of Asia Cup due to injury. Hasnain was playing for Oval Invincibles in the ongoing The Hundred.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Mohammad Hasnain, and Usman Qadir.
