Recovering fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been included in Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup in Australia next month.
The 22-year-old injured his knee while fielding during the first Test in Sri Lanka in July and missed the Asia Cup earlier this month.
The lanky left-arm paceman will also miss the seven-match T20I series against England starting in Karachi from 20 September but chief selector Mohammad Wasim said his injury is being monitored.
“We are assessing Shaheen’s injury and hope that he will be fit,” Wasim said in a press conference in Lahore.
Top-order batsman Fakhar Zaman, who also hurt his knee during the Asia Cup where he managed just 96 runs in six games, could only find a place in the reserves.
Test star Shan Masood has also been called up for the first time in a T20I side after his stellar performance in England’s county matches and T20 cricket.
The same 15-member squad will also feature in a tri-series in New Zealand next month where Bangladesh will be the third team.
Pakistan resisted the inclusion of veteran 40-year-old Shoaib Malik, who has not played since last year’s World Cup despite a faltering middle-order.
Iftikhar Ahmed (105 runs), Asif Ali (41) and Khushdil Shah (58) were retained despite their poor performances in the Asia Cup, where Pakistan lost to Sri Lanka in the final of the Asia Cup last Sunday.
All teams have until 15 October to make changes in their World Cup squads, leaving Pakistan with a chance to include Zaman in the main squad.
Two uncapped players – fast bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal and spinner Abrar Ahmed – are part of the 18-man squad for the England series.
Star batsman Babar Azam will lead all three sides.
Pakistan are placed in Group 2 of the T20 World Cup with arch-rivals India, South Africa, Bangladesh and two qualifier teams who will come from the first round.
They play India in a sell-out first match in Melbourne on 23 October.
Pakistan T20 World Cup and New Zealand tri-series squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usman Qadir. Travelling reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani.
Pakistan for England T20I series: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Aamir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood, Usman Qadir.
© Agence France-Presse
