The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced Haseebullah as the replacement for Azam Khan, who has been ruled out of the ongoing Pakistan vs New Zealand five-match T20I series due to a Grade One tear in his right calf muscle. Azam sustained the injury during a training session before the first T20I, and subsequent radiology reports confirmed the extent of the injury, forcing him to withdraw from the series.
Haseebullah will join the squad from the fourth match onwards and will be available for selection for the matches scheduled for April 25 and April 27 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Azam Khan, meanwhile, will depart from the Pakistan men’s cricket team and report to the National Cricket Academy for rehabilitation under the supervision of the PCB medical panel.
The discomfort in Azam’s right calf was first noticed during batting practice in the pre-first T20I training session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. This news comes after earlier uncertainty about Azam’s participation in the series, but recent reports confirmed his unavailability.
In the absence of Azam Khan, Pakistan secured a victory in the second T20I, while the first match was spoiled by rain. The team, led by Babar Azam, continues to perform well, with Mohammad Rizwan taking up the wicketkeeping duties. The squad also includes key players such as Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir, and Shadab Khan, ensuring a formidable lineup for the upcoming matches.
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List of Pakistan women cricketers with 100 or more ODI wickets
