T20 World Cup 2021: Shoaib Malik likely to replace injured Sohaib Maqsood in Pakistan squad for the mega event

The 2021 T20 World Cup will be held in the months of October and November this year in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). And, Pakistan batsman Sohaib Maqsood has been struggling with a back injury and is now in a race against time to be fit for the mega event.

Due to his back injury, Maqsood is experiencing difficulties in walking as well. And, in this situation, Pakistan is likely to call back veteran cricketer Shoaib Malik if Maqsood cannot participate in the multi-nation tournament.

The decision regarding Maqsood’s availability is likely to be announced in the next couple of days. The Pakistan players are currently in Lahore and will be tested for Covid-19. Only those players who test Covid negative will be joining the training sessions, that will begin on 10th October 2021.

Pakistan will leave to the UAE for the T20 World Cup on 15th October 2021

The Pakistan players will indulge in net practice at the National High-Performance Centre, and will also play a practice match as well on 14th October 2021. And then, on 15th October 2021, the entire squad will fly to the UAE for the 2021 T20 World Cup.

A source confirmed that Maqsood underwent an MRI scan and was finding it difficult to walk. The source further added that the final decision regarding Maqsood’s inclusion will be taken when the final report arrives.

“Sohaib Maqsood was brought to a hospital for an MRI scan. He is finding it difficult to walk. His inclusion in the World Cup squad will be made after the report is released,” stated the source.

Sohaib Maqsood has played 26 T20Is for Pakistan and has scored 273 runs at an average of 13.65 and a strike rate of 116.67. On the other hand, Maqsood’s likely replacement, Shoaib Malik is one of the legends of Pakistan cricket.

Malik is currently the second-highest run-scorer for Pakistan in T20I cricket and has amassed 2335 runs in 116 T20I matches. The right-handed batsman averages 31.13 in the T20I format of the game and has also scored 8 fifties as well. Malik has also picked up 28 wickets with the ball as well in T20Is.