T20 World Cup 2022: Pakistan include Fakhar Zaman in the 15-member squad, Usman Qadir moved to reserves

Babar Azam-led Pakistan have made a change in their squad for the forthcoming T20 World Cup campaign as Fakhar Zaman swaps places with Usman Qadir.

Leg spinner Usman Qadir was ruled out of the Tri-series against New Zealand and Bangladesh wherein they eventually clinched the title. Qadir sustained a thumb fracture while fielding in the match against England in the T20I series played at home in Pakistan.

It was expected that the player would return to the squad for the marquee tournament in Australia. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board have officially announced the exclusion of the leggie as he is yet to recover from the hairline fracture on his right thumb.

Furthermore, it is understood that the player cannot be made available for selection before October 22. This meant that the door for Fakhar to join the Men in Green was wide open. The player will arrive in Brisbane from London along with Shaheen Afridi, who also was recovering from an injury that kept him on the sidelines, on Saturday (October 15).

Moreover, Fakhar will join the squad and will be available for selections in the warm-up matches against England on October 17 and Afghanistan on October 19. The team management will further assess the left-handed batter’s fitness to play him further on in the marquee tournament.

Pakistan are to play arch-rivals team India in the opening match of their T20 World Cup campaign, a fixture they won almost exactly a year ago in the same stage. While Rohit Sharma-led India will seek redemption as they lock horns, Babar Azam and Co. will remain optimistic regarding the result.  

Pakistan's updated squad for T20 World Cup 2022

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood.

Traveling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir.