Pakistan's head coach, Gary Kirsten, provided a positive update on star all-rounder Imad Wasim ahead of their T20 World Cup clash against India on June 9. After recovering from an injury sustained during the T20I series against England last month, Wasim has been declared fit and ready to participate in the much-anticipated T20 World Cup clash against India in New York.
"Imad Wasim will be available for the match against India,” Kirsten said at the pre-match press conference.
Imad Wasim to feature in India vs Pakistan clash
After missing the final match of the T20I series against England as precautionary measure with a potential rib injury, Imad Wasim went on miss Pakistan's T20 World Cup 2024 opener against USA. Pakistan lost that match by five runs in the Super Over
Now, Pakistan have received a massive boost with the return of all-rounder Imad Wasim. His absence created challenges in balancing the team's composition. In their recent match against the USA, Pakistan opted for Azam Khan, who was out of form, alongside Shadab Khan as their sole specialist spinner. This decision raised concerns about the team's overall spin attack. Shadab Khan came under particular scrutiny from captain Babar Azam after their loss, with the skipper highlighting the struggles of the spinners' including part-timer Iftikhar Ahmed. With Imad Wasim's return to fitness, he is likely to replace Azam Khan in the playing XI, offering Pakistan a more balanced and potentially more potent bowling attack.
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While Imad Wasim's current discomfort in his right rib cage isn't a recurring issue, he has battled various injuries throughout his career. A chronic knee problem has limited his participation in longer formats. In fact, this wasn't the first time injuries impacted his international career. He received additional time for a fitness test due to a knee issue before the 2019 World Cup, and even briefly retired from the international scene in 2023.
However, Imad's dedication to the T20 World Cup is evident. He opted against a central contract upon his return earlier this year, prioritizing participation in this specific tournament.
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