Pakistan cricket team suffered a major blow ahead of the T20I series

The Pakistan cricket team faces a significant setback ahead of the five-match T20I series against New Zealand as vice-captain and all-rounder Shadab Khan is likely to miss the tour due to a foot injury. The 25-year-old sustained the injury during the recent National T20 Cup and has been sidelined since. His participation in the upcoming series appears doubtful, prompting the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to seek a replacement, with the squad announcement for the New Zealand tour expected on December 25.

The PCB's selection committee, comprising Wahab Riaz, Kamran Akmal, Asad Shafiq, and Iftikhar Anjum, will convene to assess potential replacements, considering standout performers from the National T20 Cup. Notably, the Pakistan cricket team is presently in Australia for a three-match Test series in the ongoing World Test Championship, concluding on January 7. Only five days after the Test series, Pakistan is slated to commence their T20I campaign against New Zealand on January 12.