As a result of a shoulder injury, Pakistan’s fast bowler Naseem Shah will not be participating in the Asia Cup, the team announced on Wednesday, one day before their must-win Super Four matchup.
Zaman Khan, a fast bowler, has taken Naseem’s position in the Pakistan squad. On Thursday, Pakistan will play Sri Lanka in what is essentially a semi-final of the 50-over event. This tournament is a warmup for the ODI World Cup, which will be held in India.
As a result of India’s victory over Sri Lanka in Colombo on Tuesday, they have already qualified for the final on September 17. They will play against the victor of the match between Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
According to a statement released by the Pakistan Cricket Board, “Naseem sustained an injury to his right shoulder during the match against India.”
“He is still being monitored by the team’s medical panel, which is taking all of the necessary precautions in light of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup,” the statement read. “[T]hey are doing so in order to prepare for the tournament.”
In the team’s most recent Super Four match, which took place in Colombo, they were defeated by India by a score of 228 runs. Naseem and another fast, Haris Rauf, both suffered injuries during the match.
As a result of the weather, the match was stretched out over two days, and Rauf did not bowl on the reserve day. This was done as a preventative measure.
Rauf “continues to recover well,” according to the team, after “feeling discomfort in his right flank” on the opening day of the match.
According to Sohail Saleem, the team’s doctor, “These two fast bowlers are our assets, and the team’s medical panel will provide them with the best possible care ahead of the all-important World Cup.”
After Pakistan’s defeat to India on Monday, reserve players Zaman and Shahnawaz Dahani were brought into the fold almost immediately.