IND vs PAK: 'Injured' Imad Wasim being forced to play vs India as all-rounder likely to be ruled out of T20 World Cup - Reports

Pakistan National Cricket Team have faced a major blow ahead of the game against India in the T20 World Cup 2024. Star all-rounder Imad Wasim has been all but ruled out of the entire tournament due to a side injury that he faced ahead of the game against the United States of America (USA) as per the reports in BBN. 

The reports claimed that Imad Wasim hasn’t recovered from the injury and is not 100% fit. It was expected that the all-rounder would get fit ahead of the game against India but that hasn’t been the case. The match between the two teams will take place on Sunday (9th June) at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. 

The reports claimed that Pakistan cricket team management wants Imad Wasim to play against India. The all-rounder is likely to be given painkillers and injections to play against the Rohit Sharma-led side. He brings a lot of variety with himself and the team is desperate to play him. 

It is also learned that Imad Wasim is most likely to be sent home after the game against India at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium in New York. There is just a 20% chance that the all-rounder will be staying with the team for the rest of the tournament. 

If Imad Wasim gets ruled out of the T20 World Cup 2024, it will be a massive blow for the Pakistan Cricket Team. The all-rounder provides a crucial balance to the team as apart from being a quality bowler, he also is a handy batter down the order for the team. 

Imad Wasim recently took back his retirement after PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi requested him to take the call back. The all-rounder then played a valiant role for the team in the series against New Zealand, Ireland, and England. 

Imad Wasim didn’t feature in the game against the USA due to the injury and his absence was quite evident. Pakistan went on to lose the game in the super over and faced a lot of criticism for the defeat they suffered against the associate nation. 

There were reports recently which claimed that Imad Wasim will be back in the XI for the game against India. It was learned that he was all set to replace Azam Khan in the team. The keeper-batter has been struggling to get going and has faced a lot of skewering as well. 

But with Imad Wasim now having the injury scare, it remains to be seen what combination the team would opt for. They would be under pressure going into the game against India and the injury to the all-rounder wouldn’t have done any good to their confidence. 

Mehran Mumtaz to replace Imad Wasim in the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 

The reports also claimed that Mehran Mumtaz is likely to replace Imad Wasim in the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. This is because skipper Babar Azam and head coach Gary Kirsten want a left-arm spinner in the team. 

Mehran Mumtaz reportedly has also passed his fitness test at NCA Lahore and has been told to stay there as a stand-by. It remains to be seen when will PCB make an official announcement related to the same.