Pakistan’s wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan has been ruled out of the ongoing five-game T20I series against New Zealand due to a grade-one tear to his right calf muscle. The injury occurred during a practice match before the opening fixture, and as a result, he has been advised a 10-day rest.
Azam, 25, was selected in the T20I squad after performing well in PSL 9 for Islamabad United. Despite scoring 226 runs in 12 matches, the right-hander struck at an impressive rate of 171.21 as Islamabad lifted the title for the third time.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) issued a statement confirming Azam’s injury and his departure from the team. The statement read, “Azam Khan has been advised to undergo a 10-day rest following radiology reports confirming a Grade One tear of his right calf muscle. Azam will now depart from the Pakistan men’s cricket team and report to the National Cricket Academy, where he will commence his rehabilitation process under the supervision of the PCB medical panel.”
Azam has yet to make a mark in T20Is, managing only 29 runs in eight matches, averaging a paltry 4.83.
In the second T20I against New Zealand, Mohammad Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi were the chief destroyers with the ball, claiming five wickets between them as the visitors were bundled out for 90. Pakistan chased down the target comfortably, with Mohammad Rizwan top-scoring with 45 off 34 deliveries.
Pakistan will hope to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series as they face New Zealand in the third T20I on April 21.
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