- Mohammad Nawaz has been ruled out of Pak vs Aus white-ball series
- PCB has named Zahid Mehmood as Nawaz’s replacement
- Nawaz is yet to recover from feet injury he sustained during PSL 2022
Pakistan vs Australia: All-rounder Mohammad Nawaz has been left out from the limited-over series. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has opted for leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood as Nawaz’s replacement who will be utilized once needed.
The two teams, Pakistan and Australia will undergo a three-match ODI series, followed by a one-off T20I. The three 50-over encounters will be played on 29th March, 31st March, and 2nd April, whereas, the T20I is scheduled for 5th April.
It must be noted Nawaz sustained an injury on his feet during the recently-concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL 2022). He is yet to fully recover from it hence, has been sidelined from the limited-over series against Australia.
As far as Zahid is concerned, the player has been a part of the Pak vs Aus Test series. He has rendered appealing showcases for Islamabad United during PSL 2022. The selectors understand he is the best fit for Nawaz.
Pakistan’s ODI squad:
Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-Ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Zahid Mehmood, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir
Pakistan’s T20I squad:
Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Zahid Mehmood, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir
It must be noted the two teams are currently preparing to undergo the final test match of the three-match Test series. It will be played at Gadaffi Stadium Lahore from 21st March.
Discussing the white-ball series, although it was scheduled to be encountered at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, but has been shifted to Lahore according to the interior minister of Pakistan, Sheikh Rasheed. The PCB is yet to confirm the news, however, the political conditions in Islamabad may force the two boards to follow Sheikh’s decision despite understanding that government has no interference in the cricket matters.
