PAK vs AUS: Zahid Mahmood replaces injured Mohammad Nawaz in white-ball squads

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood as the replacement for the left-arm-spinner Mohammad Nawaz in Pakistan’s squad for the white-ball series against Australia.

The home side will play three ODIs and a one-off T20I against the visitors starting March 29 (Tuesday) at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The replacement has been named after Nawaz could not manage to make full recovery from the foot injury he suffered during the 2022 Pakistan Super League (PSL). The left-arm-spinner has now been ruled out of the series.

Zahid to act as cover for Shadab Khan as well: PCB

The 34-year-old will also act as a cover for Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan, whose fitness will be reassessed before to the white-ball series. The Men in Green are expected to assemble at the team hotel in Lahore on March 22 (Wednesday) and will start training on March 25 (Friday).

“Unfortunately Mohammad Nawaz has not recovered fully from the foot injury he suffered during the HBL Pakistan Super League 7. We also need to reassess Shadab Khan’s fitness once he joins the squad before playing him in this high profile series which is very important for us in terms of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League points,” Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim said in a press statement.

“Zahid Mehmood has been with the team for the Tests and also featured in the PSL 7 for Islamabad United. We feel he is an adequate replacement in the present situation and can potentially make a contribution to the team if needed,” he added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan will face Australia in the third Test match in Lahore starting from March 21 (Monday). The three-match Test series is still at 0-0 with all to play for in the final match.

Pakistan’s ODI squad

Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-Ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Zahid Mehmood, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir

Pakistan’s T20I squad:

Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Zahid Mehmood, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir