T20 World Cup 2021: Shoaib Malik Being Considered As Replacement For Sohaib Maqsood In Pakistan Squad

The experienced campaigner, Shoaib Malik, is on Pakistan’s radar as one of the potential replacements for the injured Sohaib Maqsood ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup. Maqsood is reportedly finding it difficult to walk after sustaining a back injury.

If Maqsood is unable to travel with the team to the UAE, where the tournament is scheduled to take place, Malik might be roped in. The deadline for any alterations to the T20 World Cup squads is October 10. So a decision will be taken by tonight or tomorrow morning.

Maqsood was excluded from Southern Punjab’s match against Central Punjab in the National T20 Cup on Thursday. Prior to the game, he was taken to the hospital for MRI scans, a source was quoted as saying to Geo news.

“Sohaib Maqsood was brought to a hospital for an MRI scan. He is finding it difficult to walk. His inclusion in the World Cup squad will be made after the report is released,” the source mentioned.

Pakistan team to begin training sessions on October 10

Pakistan’s 15-man squad along with the reserves were allocated a local hotel in Lahore. It is part of the bio-bubble where the players have a one-day isolation period to undergo. They’ve undergone RT-PCR tests and the results are expected to be back today, as per reports.

Only the ones who return negative test results will be allowed to join the training session which begins on Sunday. The net sessions are scheduled at the National High-Performance Centre which will be followed by a ‘scenario match’ at the Gaddafi Stadium on October 14.

Finally, the squad will depart for Dubai on a chartered plane the very next day. The qualifiers of the T20 World Cup will commence on October 17 while the Super-12 stage begins on October 23. Pakistan will face India in their first match of the T20 World Cup campaign.

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