Injury update on Pakistan duo targeting T20 World Cup
Zaman injured his right knee when landing awkwardly while fielding during the T20 Asia Cup final in Dubai and will head to London to kickstart his rehabilitation, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Pakistan lost the final to Sri Lanka with Zaman being bowled for a first-ball duck after hurting his knee in the field in the first innings.
The 32-year-old has been named as one of three travelling reserves in Pakistan's squad for the T20 World Cup 2022 to be played in Australia from 16 October, paying the price for form and fitness concerns.
The former No.2 ranked T20I batter only scored 96 runs in six innings at the Asia Cup, with the bulk of those coming from a half-century against Hong Kong during the group stage.
Zaman will miss Pakistan’s home series against England that includes seven T20Is where he would have hoped to press his claims for a call up to Pakistan’s final T20 World Cup squad if a spot opens up.
The left-handed batter will instead join Afridi in London, where the star pace bowler is said to be making excellent progress in his rehabilitation and is on track to recover in time for the T20 World Cup.
Afridi missed the Asia Cup due to a knee injury but the 22-year-old has been named in Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad and looms as a crucial addition to the in-form team.
Pakistan’s opening T20 World Cup match is on 23 October against rivals India.