Pakistan team in deeper mess as Imam, Shakeel miss out from Sri Lanka clash

Pakistan have roped in Fakhar Zaman and Abdullah Shafique for their must-win Asia Cup Super Four clash against Dasun Shanaka at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.

Earlier, the Men in Green made five changes to their playing XI. They left out Fakhar, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Faheem Ashraf and Salman Agha. Instead, they picked Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Nawaz, Shakeel and Zaman Khan.

However, before the match it was learned that Imam and Shaheel were not fit to take part. Even as Imam was having back spasm, Shakeel missed out due to viral fever. The rub of the green favoured Fakhar, who had to be brought in for the clash against Sri Lanka.

Previously, two of their premier pacers, Rauf and Naseem,



sustained injuries. As back-ups, Pakistan added Zaman Khan and Shahnawaz Dahani to their squad. Rauf did not bowl in the reserve day of the match against India while Naseem sustained a shoulder injury.

Pakistan started their Super Four campaign with a thumping seven-wicket win over Bangladesh. But thereafter, Babar Azam’s men lost to Rohit Sharma’s India by 228 runs. It also happened to be their heaviest defeat against India by a margin of runs.

The defeat meant that Pakistan slipped to third in the Super Four points table and their net run rate, which is currently at -1.892, also took a massive hit.

If Pakistan go on to beat Sri Lanka, it will be the first time that an Asia Cup final will be played between India and Pakistan.