Pakistan will take on India in their first match of the Asia Cup in a day. But before that, Babar's team has to get some bad news. The team's pacer Wasim Junior has been injured during practice.
Pakistan are already plagued by injuries. They are without their bowling stalwart Shaheen Shah Afridi due to a knee injury. In his absence, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Mohammad Hasnain, Shahnawaz Dhani and Naseem Shah were supposed to lead the team.
Among them, Rauf, Wasim and Hasnain have the most experience in playing international T20 matches. Although Hasnain has not played any T20 for Pakistan since last year, Rauf and Wasim have been regulars for the team. As a result, cricket experts should have no doubt that Wasim would have been included in the starting XI. But due to a back injury, Babar will now have to plan an XI without the young Turk.
ESPN Cricinfo reports that he felt pain in his back during practice last Thursday (August 25). However, the extent of his injury is not yet known. Only after the MRI test will it be known whether he will be able to play in the Asia Cup at all? Or will he have to be knocked out of the tournament.
However, sources claim that Pakistan does not want to take any big risks now that the T20 World Cup is in Australia next October. So, it is more likely that he will be rested. Wasim has played 11 T20 matches for Pakistan so far. In which he has taken a total of 17 wickets at an average of 15.88. Economy rate is 8.10.
Pakistan squad for Asia Cup:
Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Naseem Shah, Shahnewaz Dhani, Usman Qadir, Mohammad Hasnain.
