ICC World Cup 2019: Mohammad Shahzad Ruled Out With Injury, Replacement Named

Afghanistan Cricket Team received a massive blow as their star wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Shahzad will not take further part in the ongoing ICC World Cup 2019. Meanwhile, Ali Khil will replace Shahzad in the squad ahead of their next tie.

Shahzad ruled out of World Cup

Mohammad Shahzad sustained a knee injury during Afghanistan’s warm-up game against Pakistan. He had to retired hurt and didn’t take part in that game. However, Shahzad featured in Afghanistan’s opening two games against Australia and Sri Lanka, but the injury only aggravated to rule him out of the World Cup.

Ali Khil, who has only played two ODIs, will join the team as his replacement. ICC has confirmed that the Event Technical Committee of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 has approved the replacement for the remainder of the tournament. It will be a massive opportunity for the 18-year-old Khil to make a mark for himself at the biggest cricketing event. Ali made his debut earlier this year against Ireland in Dehradun. The replacement of a player requires the approval of the Event Technical Committee before the replacement player can be officially added to the squad.

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Meanwhile, Mohammad Shahzad was the second highest run-scorer for Afghanistan since the 2015 ICC World Cup. The hard-hitting batsman has scored 1843 runs in 55 innings and is also their highest run-scorer in the history.  It will be a massive blow as Shahzad can single-handedly change the course of the match. Although he was not among the runs in the first two games, but one good knock could have changed Afghanistan’s future in the tournament.

The Afghans will look to bounce back when they take on New Zealand on June 8 (Saturday) at the Cooper Associates County Ground, Taunton.