Abbas Afridi Ruled Out Of PAK vs NZ 3rd T20I Due To Abdominal Strain

Pakistan have suffered a big blow ahead of the do-or-die third T20I against New Zealand as their fast-bowler Abbas Afridi has been ruled out of the crucial clash. The Men in Green are on the verge of conceding the five-match T20I series after losing the first two games. In both the games, the visitors failed to chase down big totals. In the series opener in Auckland, New Zealand piled up a record total of 226/8 in the allotted 20 overs.

In reply, Pakistan finished their innings on 180. In the second game in Hamilton, the Black Caps scored 194/8 before restricting Pakistan to 173. One more loss in the remaining three games will see Pakistan concede the series. The Shaheen Afridi-led side will have to win all the remaining three games to clinch the series.

Abbas Afridi ruled out of third T20I:

While Pakistan would have wanted their strongest playing eleven for the must-win clash, they will have to play the third T20I without Abbas Afridi. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Tuesday (January 16), announced that the fast bowler has been ruled out of the third game due to an abdominal strain. While he has not suffered any significant injury, he will not be playing the third game.

“Right-arm pacer Abbas Afridi has been ruled out of the third T20I against New Zealand due to discomfort from a low-grade abdominal wall muscle strain.

“His scan has shown no sign of significant injury, and he will be managed symptomatically. His availability for the last two games will be made at a later stage,” stated the PCB in its release.

Missing Abbas Afridi will be a big blow for Pakistan. The right-arm pacer made his debut in the ongoing series and impressed straightaway, picking five wickets in the first two games. He is currently Pakistan’s joint leading wicket-taker in the series. In the first game, Abbas Afridi picked up 3 wickets before taking 2 in the second game.

With Abbas Afridi ruled out, Mohammad Nawaz is likely to get a chance in the playing eleven. The third T20I is scheduled to take place at the University Oval in Dunedin on Wednesday (January 17).

Pakistan squad: Mohammad Rizwan(w), Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Iftikhar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Nawaz, Shaheen Afridi(c), Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, Usama Mir, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Abrar Ahmed, Sahibzada Farhan, Abbas Afridi, Haseebullah Khan