PAK vs AUS: ‘Naseem Shah Is Undergoing..’- Wahab Riaz Gives Massive Update On Pacer's Return To International Cricket

Pakistan men’s chief selector Wahab Riaz has given fitness updates on four key Pakistan pacers Naseem Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Ihsanullah, and Shadab Khan. Wahab Riaz revealed that Mohammad Hasnain and Naseem Shah have recovered from injury.

Naseem Shah is a key Pakistan pacer who got injured during Asia Cup 2023 in August. He could not participate in ICC World Cup 2023 due to the injury. Mohammad Hasnain, Ihsanullah, and Shadab Khan are the other three key pacers for Pakistan. All these players are missing from the Pakistan squad for the forthcoming tour to New Zealand.

Also Read: PAK vs AUS: Azhar Ali Names 3 Pakistan Players Who Can Smack Double Ton Against Australia

Naseem Shah And Mohammad Hasnain Have Recovered: Wahab Riaz

While speaking in a press conference, Wahan Riaz said that Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain have recovered. However, he also added that Naseem Shah is undergoing treatment at NCA and they don’t want to too much load on him.

“Mohammad Hasnain and Naseem Shah have recovered. Naseem is undergoing rehab at the NCA. We don’t want to put too much load on him. Hopefully, by the PSL, he will be fit to turn out for Islamabad United.

Mohammad Hasnain has also just regained fitness, and we’ve called him to the academy to assess him”, Cricket Pakistan quoted Wahab Riaz as saying.

Ihsanullah Will Take Some More Time To Regain Fitness: Wahab Riaz 

Speaking about the fitness update of Insanullah and Shadab Khan, Wahab Riaz said that both of them will take more time to regain fitness. The former Pakistan pacer added that Insanullah might not be able to play in PSL 2024. However, he added that Shadab Khan will be available after two weeks of rehabilitation.

“Unfortunately, Ihsanullah will take some more time to regain fitness – we’re not sure if he’ll be able to play this PSL. Shadab Khan is a very important member of Pakistan T20 cricket.

Unfortunately, he suffered an ankle injury (during the National T20) and requires two further weeks of rehab. After that, he’ll be available to bowl”, Wahab Riaz added.

Also Read: NZ vs PAK: Pakistan T20I Squad For New Zealand Series Announced, Shadab Khan Misses Out

Pakistan released the squad for the forthcoming T20I series in New Zealand on Tuesday, December 19. Pakistan will travel to New Zealand for a five-match T20I series in January. The PAK vs NZ series will begin on January 12 with the opening game. Shaheen Afridi is Pakistan’s new T20I skipper and will lead the side in the series.

Pakistan Squad For NZ Series: Shaheen Afridi (C), Babar Azam, Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan, Aamer Jamal, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Zaman Khan.

Meanwhile, Pakistan is currently on a tour to Australia for a Test series. Pakistan is set to play two more Tests against Australia. They lost the opening Test by a  big margin of 360 runs. PAK vs AUS 2nd Test begins on December 26 in Melbourne.