Pakistan’s explosive batsman Azam Khan may miss the first of five T20I matches against New Zealand today due to injury. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) reported that Azam’s right knee and calf muscle hurt while batting in the nets on Wednesday. The board stated that the right-handed batter’s participation in the upcoming matches against New Zealand is contingent on radiological reports, notwithstanding prompt medical attention and treatment.
Azam Khan’s NZ T20I participation uncertain due to injury
Azam, famed for his quick runs, has played eight T20Is for Pakistan. With a best of 10, the 25-year-old has scored 29 runs at 7.83 in seven innings. However, his T20 record of 3,183 runs in 160 matches at 147.56 and his performance in the ninth Pakistan Super League (PSL) earned him a spot in the national side.
The Pakistan Army held an 11-day fitness program at Kakul, where Azam participated. last comes after sources told Geo News earlier last week that standout pacer Shaheen Afridi may miss numerous NZ series matches.
They said the left-arm bowler will “rest” as part of the team’s rotation policy to limit workload before the 2024 T20 World Cup in June. Shaheen will likely miss the opening two matches of the five-match series. Sources said he would play in the final three matches.
Squads
Pakistan:Â Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Amir, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usama Mir, Usman Khan and Zaman Khan
New Zealand: Michael Bracewell (c), Tom Blundell, Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (wk), Ish Sodhi and Zak Foulkes.
