Pakistan included opening batsman Sharjeel Khan and experienced fast bowler Mohammad Sami in its Asia Cup and World Twenty20 squads on Monday after injuries to Babar Azam and Ruman Raees.
Khan, who played the last of his three T20s in 2013, guided Islamabad United to the Pakistan Super League final with a century in the playoff win against Shahid Afridi-led Peshawar Zalmi at Dubai on Sunday.
Khan replaced Azam, who broke his left forearm during practice in the PSL, and was out for three to four weeks, the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement.
Khan hammered 117 off 62 balls to score the first century in the PSL against the likes of Wahab Riaz and Shaun Tait. The left-handed Khan has 287 runs in 10 PSL matches at a healthy strike rate of 151.05.
Raees, a left-arm fast bowler, has a grade one hamstring strain, and was replaced by fast bowler Sami, who has taken 11 wickets in the PSL.
Islamabad United batsman Kalid Latif, who scored 190 runs in the PSL, has been included in the World T20 squad in place of Iftikhar Ahmed.
{{/usCountry}}Islamabad United batsman Kalid Latif, who scored 190 runs in the PSL, has been included in the World T20 squad in place of Iftikhar Ahmed.
{{/usCountry}}Chief selector Haroon Rasheed said Pakistan had an option to make changes in its World T20 squad before March 8, and after watching Latif’s performance in the PSL it was decided to leave out Ahmed.
“Khalid Latif could not be made part of the Asia Cup squad due to some technical reasons, but would join the squad for the World Twenty20,” Rasheed said.
The Asia Cup starts in Bangladesh this week, and the World T20 in India next month.