MELBOURNE: Pakistan’s top-order batter Fakhar Zaman has ruled out of the team’s opening T20 World Cup 2022 match against India.
Captain Babar Azam confirmed the news during the pre-match press conference on Saturday.
“Fakhar Zaman isn’t fully fit, so he won’t be available for our first match,” Azam explained.
Fakhar Zaman ruled out of the India match in T20 World 2022
He suffered a right knee injury while fielding during the ACC T20 Asia Cup final in Dubai, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). He fell awkwardly and is currently healing from his injuries.
After Shan Masood declared fit for the match against India, Pakistan is likely to stick with him at one down.
“Shan Masood is healthy and passed all of the tests.” “He’s all set for tomorrow,” Azam added.
After being hit on the head during a practice session on Friday, Pakistan batsman Shan Masood escaped with “superficial bruising.”
On Sunday, Pakistan will kick off its campaign against archrival India in Melbourne. As the team was preparing for the game, a stray shot from Mohammad Nawaz struck Masood on the head, leaving him lying flat on the ground before being taken to the hospital for scans.
“Shan Masood’s neurological findings are all normal. His CT scan reveals only minor bruising where the ball struck him “According to a statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“He will be re-tested (Saturday)” for concussion, according to the PCB.
Masood, 33, is regarded as a technically sound top-order batsman who has two half-centuries for Pakistan in 12 T20s since making his debut in September.
Social media images showed Pakistan players and team staff encircling Masood, with a distraught Nawaz sitting on his knees.
Pakistan defeated India in the T20 World Cup semi-finals last year, led by Babar Azam.
Fakhar Zaman’s Batting Stats in International Cricket
| FORMAT | Mat | Inns | NO | Runs | HS | Ave | BF | SR | 100s | 50s | 4s | 6s | Ct | St |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 3 | 6 | 0 | 192 | 94 | 32.00 | 359 | 53.48 | 0 | 2 | 20 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| ODI | 65 | 65 | 4 | 2785 | 210* | 45.65 | 3010 | 92.52 | 8 | 15 | 318 | 49 | 31 | 0 |
| T20I | 72 | 66 | 3 | 1369 | 91 | 21.73 | 1061 | 129.02 | 0 | 8 | 139 | 45 | 36 | 0 |
| FC | 53 | 87 | 4 | 3111 | 205 | 37.48 | 5085 | 61.17 | 6 | 20 | 451 | 14 | 46 | 0 |
| List A | 133 | 132 | 6 | 5965 | 210* | 47.34 | 6364 | 93.73 | 16 | 36 | 670 | 106 | 61 | 0 |
| T20 | 197 | 189 | 8 | 5007 | 106 | 27.66 | 3737 | 133.98 | 2 | 36 | 521 | 171 | 87 | 0 |