T20 World Cup 2022: Mohammad Haris replaces Fakhar Zaman in Pakistan's squad for remainder of tournament

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 has approved Mohammad Haris as a replacement for Fakhar Zaman in the Pakistan squad.

Haris was named as a replacement after Zaman was ruled out after sustaining a posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injury to his right knee.

The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the replacement player can be officially added to the squad.

The Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 consists of Wasim Khan, ICC General Manager - Cricket (Chair); Chris Tetley, ICC Head of Events; Peter Roach, Cricket Australia, Shane Doyle, Men’s T20 World Cup Local Organising Committee; Shaun Pollock (Independent) and Ian Bishop (Independent).

Pakistan's hopes hang on a thin thread

Fakhar Zaman had been out of the games against India and Zimbabwe owing to the injury, which the team lost. He was seen during the game against the Netherlands, which Pakistan won but was then ruled out ahead of their upcoming fixture against South Africa. 

Haris does not have much experience in the setup, and has played only one T20I, which was against England in Lahore when the Jos Buttler-led side toured Pakistan in September for seven T20Is. 

Fakhar Zaman, on the other hand, was not a part of Pakistan's main 15-member squad initially due to his injury concerns. He had joined the team as a replacement for leg-spinner Usman Qadir. In the game against the Netherlands, he scored a 16-ball 20 before being dismissed, and worsened his injury.

Pakistan's chances of making to the semi-finals are very blur. They need to win all their remaining matches, and also hope for the other results in their group to go in their favor. Having lost two games in the tournament, Pakistan are currently placed fifth in their group's points table, with India, South Africa, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe being ahead of them.

Pakistan take on South Africa on Thursday, November 03, at the Sydney Crcket Ground, and then face Bangladesh in their final Super 12 fixture on November 06 at the Adelaide Oval.