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29 March 2024

PSL stars Sharjeel, Sami receive Pakistan call-up for Asia Cup, World T20

Sharjeel Khan of Islamabad United after his epic century in the PSL against Peshawar Zalmi at the Dubai International Stadium on February 21 2016. (@PSL)

Published
By Cricket Correspondent

Islamabad United stars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Sharjeel Khan and Mohammad Sami have been called up to the national squad for the upcoming Asia Cup and World T20 tournaments.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also announced on Monday that another United star Khalid Latif has been included to the World T20 squad.

Sharjeel and Sami have been drafted in as replacements for Babar Azam and Rumman Raees who have been sidelined by injuries sustained during the ongoing PSL, making them unavailable for either of the tournaments.

According to a press release issued by PCB, Babar Azam suffered a fracture on his left forearm during a practice session with Islamabad United, CT scans revealed.

The right-handed batsman will be back after around three to four weeks according to the doctors.

Azam’s United teammate Ruman Raees suffered a grade one hamstring strain and is working to regain his fitness.

“After having looked at the performance of the players in the PSL, the selection committee along with Captain Shahid Afridi and Head Coach Waqar Younis decided to include Sharjeel Khan and Mohammad Sami as replacements for injured Babar Azam and Ruman Raees respectively for both Asia Cup and World Cup,” said Pakistan chief selector Haroon Rasheed.

Pakistan discard Sharjeel scored an epoch making century in the PSL to virtually force his way back into the national limelight while Sami has been in vintage form showing his worth especially in the death overs.

Sharjeel scored a scintillating 117 off 62 balls in the third qualifying final of the PSL against a strong Peshawar Zalmi attack on Sunday while Mohammad Sami has taken six wickets, giving away just 23 runs in his last two PSL outings.

“Since we have options available to bring in changes in our World T20 squad before the support period starting from March 8, 2016, it has also been decided to use this option and include Khalid Latif, who showed tremendous display of power hitting in the PSL matches," added Rasheed.

Latif also hit form compiling 190 runs in eight PSL matches so far.

“Khalid Latif could not be made part of the Asia Cup squad due to some technical reasons but would join the squad for the World Cup,” added Rasheed. ‎

The Asia Cup begins on February 24 in Bangladesh while the World T20 will kick-off on March 8 in India.