ISLAMABAD: Pakistan have called up reserve pacers Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan for the Asia Cup 2023 tournament after regular pacers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf picked up niggles during Monday’s clash with India, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement on Monday.
The development takes place with less than a month to go before the ICC Men’s 50-over World Cup kicks off in India. PCB officials said Rauf had suffered a strain and would take no further part in the match against India on Monday while later, fellow quick Shah also walked off with some discomfort to his hand.
However, the PCB clarified that calling up Dahani and Khan was only a precautionary move.
“This is only a precautionary measure keeping in mind the fitness and well-being of the players ahead of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup next month,” the cricket board said. “Haris and Naseem will continue to remain under the observation of the team’s medical panel.”
The PCB said it would only request replacement from the Asian Cricket Council’s technical committee if Shah or Rauf are ruled out for the next seven days.
Pakistan will lock horns with Sri Lanka on Thursday, September 14, in hopes to win against the island-country and solidify their chances of making it to the final of the tournament. Pakistan suffered a 228-run thrashing at the hands of India in Colombo when the two sides took the field for a rain-hit Super Four clash.
Indian batters Virat Kohli and K.L. Rahul smashed centuries, scoring 122 and 111 runs respectively to ensure India finished at 356/2 from 50 overs.
Pakistan were never in the chase after they lost two early wickets including skipper Babar Azam bowled for 10 off an impressive in-swinger by Hardik Pandya.
Rain once again interrupted play but not the Indian momentum as the bowlers kept up their charge after resumption and Kuldeep sent back Mohammad Rizwan with his left-arm wrist spin.
Wickets kept tumbling and Kuldeep got three more to get into the Pakistan tail and then claimed his second ODI five-wicket haul.