Pakistan Calls Up Shahnawaz Dahani And Zaman Khan For Asia Cup

Pakistan’s cricket team has taken prompt action to address the potential absence of key bowlers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, who sustained injuries during their recent 228-run loss to India in the Asia Cup. In response, the team has included fellow pacers Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan in their Asia Cup squad as reserves.

The injuries to Naseem and Rauf have raised doubts about their availability for Pakistan’s final Super Four stage match against Sri Lanka, scheduled for Thursday. While the team management remains hopeful about their recovery, they are unwilling to take any chances, especially with the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup just weeks away.

Pakistan have been forced into two precautionary squad changes at #AsiaCup2023 🇵🇰

More on the fast bowling replacements with an eye on #CWC23 👇https://t.co/fUfGn9Rkyw

— ICC (@ICC) September 12, 2023

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement explaining the decision, emphasizing, “This is a precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the fitness and well-being of the players in preparation for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup next month, and both players will continue to be monitored by the team’s medical panel.”

The statement also clarified that the team management would only request replacements from the ACC technical committee if Haris or Naseem were declared unfit for the next seven days.

🚨 Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan have been called up as backups for Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah 🔁#AsiaCup2023 #PakistanCricket pic.twitter.com/c7qFOxdxgR

— CricWick (@CricWick) September 11, 2023

The setback against India has had significant implications for Pakistan’s position in the Super Four table. To secure a spot in this year’s final, Babar Azam’s team now finds itself in third place, making a victory against Sri Lanka in their upcoming match crucial.

Shahnawaz Dahani, one of the reinforcements, brings some international experience to the team with two ODIs and 11 T20I appearances for Pakistan. On the other hand, 22-year-old Zaman Khan has limited exposure to international cricket, having featured in only six T20I matches and never having played an international ODI.