LAHORE: Fast bowler Muhammad Hasnain has been included in national team’s squad in place of injured Shaheen Shah Afridi, it emerged. “Mohammad Hasnain will replace Shaheen Shah Afridi in the Pakistan squad for the ACC T20 Asia Cup, which will be played in the United Arab Emirates from 27 August to 11 September,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Monday in a communiqué. “22-year-old Hasnain has represented Pakistan in 18 T20Is in which he has taken 17 wickets.

Hasnain will join the side from the United Kingdom, where he is representing Oval Invincibles in The Hundred competition,” the press release from the PCB further added. Earlier, Pakistan’s pace sensation Shaheen Shah Afridi was ruled out of the Asia Cup, as well as the seven-match T20I series at home against England in September, because of a knee injury.  

“Every player of our playing 11 is a match winner. Wishing my team the best of luck for upcoming Asia Cup,” Shaheen had tweeted after being left out. “To the fans, keep me in your prayers for my quick recovery. I will be back soon In sha Allah (by God’s will),” he added. Social media fans have been speculating regarding Shaheen’s alternative. Fast bowler Muhammad Amir’s name has also been trending on twitter for past couple of days. “Me trending on Twitter, but why?” Amir asked in a tweet yesterday.

Published in The Daily National Courier, August, 23 2022

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