Follow UsWith Pakistan pacers Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf's participation in the remainder of Asia Cup 2023 doubtful, Pakistan have called up Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan as covers. In fact, according to a report on ESPNcricinfo, Naseem and Rauf, who did not bat against India, will not be fit enough to take part in Pakistan's next game against Sri Lanka on Thursday (September 14).
"Pakistan have called up Shahnawaz Dahani and Zaman Khan as backups. The two have been called up after Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah picked up niggles in the match against India," the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said in a statement.
The PCB also called this move a precautionary measure. "This is only a precautionary measure keeping in mind the fitness and well-being of the players ahead of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup next month," the PCB statement read.
"Haris and Naseem will continue to remain under the observation of the team’s medical panel. The team management will only request a replacement from the ACC technical committee if Naseem or Haris are ruled out for the next seven days."
Dahani has played just a couple of One-Day Internationals (ODI) for Pakistan, while Zaman is uncapped in the format but has represented his nation six times in T20 Internationals (T20I) since making his debut earlier this year.
While Rauf did not take the field on the reserve day against India as he felt a little discomfort on his right flank, Naseem walked off in the middle of the 49th over in the Indian innings after he sustained an injury on his bowling shoulder.
India outplayed Pakistan in all departments to register a massive 228-run victory in the Super Fours fixture in Colombo.