PAK vs NZ: PCB provides health update on Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has provided an update regarding the health of wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan and all-rounder Irfan Khan, stating that the two players have been ruled out of the last two T20Is against New Zealand.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the PCB Medical Panel yesterday received the Radiology reports of both players and after reviewing the reports with consultation of the Pakistan team management, it has been decided to rest the two players from Thursday’s and Saturday’s T20Is against New Zealand.

“The two players will now work on their rehabilitation with the PCB Medical Panel at NCA,” it added.

Remember, Rizwan suffered discomfort in his hamstring during the third T20I against New Zealand in Rawalpindi on Sunday.

It is the third major blow for the hosts since Azam Khan was the first player to get ruled out of the series before the first T20I. He experienced discomfort in his right knee and right calf muscle.

Azam had undergone a radiology test which confirmed that he had suffered a Grade One tear in his right calf muscle after which he was advised to rest for 10 days.

Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah was named as his replacement.

It must be noted that the remaining two T20Is of the series are on 25 and 27 April, respectively. The series is currently level at 1-1.

The series is being broadcast live on Pakistan’s first sports channel Geo Super.

Pakistan squad

Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Usama Mir, Zaman Khan, Haseebullah

Reserves: Mohammad Ali, Agha Salman, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Wasim Jr.

New Zealand squad

Michael Bracewell (c), Mark Chapman, Josh Clarkson, Jacob Duffy, Dean Foxcroft, Ben Lister, Cole McConchie, Jimmy Neesham, Will O’Rourke, Tim Robinson, Ben Sears, Tim Seifert (WK), Ish Sodhi, Tom Blundell, Zak Foulkes.