Pakistan's Azam Khan - wicketkeeper-batter - has been dealt a blow as he has been forced to withdraw from the ongoing five-match T20I series against New Zealand due to a grade one tear in his right calf muscle.
The injury, confirmed through radiology reports, has prompted medical advice for Azam to undergo a ten-day rest period.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement, revealing that Azam will depart from the national squad to initiate his rehabilitation process at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, under the vigilant supervision of the PCB medical panel.
The setback for Azam was initially detected during a practice session ahead of the first T20I, which was unfortunately curtailed by weather conditions after only two deliveries.
Despite his limited appearances in T20Is, Azam's prowess as a hitter has garnered attention. However, his recent outings have not reflected his potential, managing only 29 runs in seven innings, with a highest score of 10. Notably, his performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) for Islamabad United showcased glimpses of his capability, tallying 226 runs in ten innings at an impressive strike rate of 171.
Azam's absence poses a setback for Pakistan, especially considering the looming T20 World Cup scheduled for June in the Caribbean and the USA. With Pakistan eying preparations for the global tournament, Azam's injury adds to the challenges faced by the team management.
The selectors may now have to explore alternative options as they continue to fine-tune their squad for the upcoming World Cup. The return of Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, bolstered by their performances in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL), underscores Pakistan's strategy of leveraging players with proven T20 pedigree.
Following the conclusion of the series against New Zealand on April 27, Pakistan is slated to engage in seven additional matches in the build-up to the T20 World Cup, with fixtures scheduled in Ireland and England.
