Pakistan have decided against including wicket-keeper batsman Azam Khan and replace him with Imad Wasim for the T20 World Cup match between Pakistan and India today, sources stated.
The development takes place after Azam was out on duck in the match against USA, while he could not make a mark in his previous late appearances in the national T20I side as well. The 25-year-old cricketer has been heavily criticised for his physical fitness as well as on-field performance.
Meanwhile, national team’s head coach Gary Kirsten Saturday confirmed that all-rounder Imad was fit and would play the highly anticipated match in New York.
Imad has been staying on the sidelines since the T20I series against England which was played last month but he is set to feature against the arch-rivals.
“Imad Wasim will be available for the match against India,” Kirsten confirmed in a presser. “We will make a comeback.”
The sources stated that Pakistan have finalised their minus-Azam playing-XI for the India match and decided to enter the arena with four fast bowlers, two all-rounders, and a spinner.
The playing squad, as per the sources, includes captain Babar Azam, wicket-keeper-batter Muhammad Rizwan, batsman Usman Khan, left-handed batter Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Imad, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Muhammad Amir and Naseem Shah.
The sources also added that skipper Babar and coach Kirsten have “lost trust in Azam as he was not given to play a single ball during the net practice”.
The sources said Azam stood in isolation while the practice underwent.
The son of legendary wicket-keeper Moin Khan is yet to make a mark in T20I from the national side despite making his international debut three years ago in July 2021. He has appeared in 14 innings for Pakistan but could score only 88 runs.
