Pakistan’s top hitter Fakhar Zaman will miss their first encounter against India in the Twenty20 World Cup 2022. During Saturday’s pre-game press conference, captain Babar Azam verified the news. Last month, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that Zaman had injured his right knee while playing fielding during the ACC T20 Asia Cup final in Dubai.
PAK VS IND | Fakhar Zaman out of India match at T20 World Cup
Fakhar Zaman has not made a full recovery from his injury. In light of the left-fitness hander’s for the India match, Pakistan is likely to keep playing him at one-down. A blow to the head during Friday’s drill only resulted in “superficial bruising” for Pakistani batsman Shan Masood.
On Sunday, Pakistan will begin their season in Melbourne against their bitter rivals, India. A wayward shot from Mohammad Nawaz hit Masood in the head, knocking him to the ground; he was then taken to the hospital for scans as the squad waited for the start of the game.
Masood, 33, is a respected top-order batsman known for his technical proficiency who has scored two half-centuries in 12 T20s for Pakistan since making his debut in September.
Images of a distraught Nawaz on his knees with the rest of the Pakistan team clustered around Masood went viral on social media. In the 2017 T20 World Cup, Pakistan advanced to the semi-finals behind Babar Azam and company.
“Fakhar Zaman is not fully fit which is why he won’t be available for our first match,” said Azam.
“Shan Masood is fit and he cleared all the tests. He is ready for tomorrow,” Azam added.
“All of Shan Masood´s neurological observations are normal. His CT scan only shows superficial bruising where the ball struck him,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement.
“He will be re-tested (Saturday)” for concussion, the PCB added.
