Pakistan have called up their reserves Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan as backups after its ace pacers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah picked up niggles during the Super 4 match of the ongoing Asia Cup against India.
Issuing a statement late on Monday nighy, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that calling up the reserves was just a precautionary measure keeping in mind the fitness and well-being of the players ahead of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup, scheduled to begin on October 5 in India.
Meanwhile, both the pacers will continue to remain under the observation of the Pakistan team’s medical panel during the ongoing continental tournament.
The team management will only seek a replacement from the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) technical committee if either of the two players or both are ruled out for the one week.
After being crushed by India on Monday, Pakistan, which lost the Super 4 affair by 228 runs to their arch-rivals, will be up against Sri Lanka in their next and last match of the ongoing stage.
Earlier on Monday, Rauf was ruled out of the clash against India as a precautionary measure while Naseem also did not came to bat as he picked up a minor injury on his fingers.
Speakinh on the pacer’s injury, Pakistan bowling coach Morne Morkel, said: “Haris started feeling discomfort in his oblique muscle last night, and a scan showed some inflammation. Given the upcoming World Cup, this decision is precautionary, and we will rely on other bowlers to complete the remaining overs.”
Significantly, both Rauf and Naseem forms a formidable pace trio, along with Shaheen Shah Afridi. The trio is one of the biggest strength of the Pakistan team and as a result, a lot would depend on them in the upcoming ODI World Cup in October.