New updates emerge in Pakistan-New Zealand T20I as all-rounder Shadab Khan will be leading the Pakistan Cricket Team against New Zealand in the absence of Babar Azam, sources revealed on Wednesday.

Shadab Khan plays for the Pakistan national cricket team. In August 2018, he was one of thirty-three players to be awarded a central contract for the 2018–19 season by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Shadab made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for Pakistan against the West Indies on 26 March 2017 and recorded the most economical figures for a bowler completing their four overs on debut in a T20I.

The management PCB is satisfied with the Shadab’s fitness after the training session as he had previously complained of groin injury which restricted him to batting during the training session on Sunday. And they are still hopeful that Shadab would reach full fitness ahead of the first T20I against New Zealand on Friday and lead the side in place of injured Babar Azam.

The recent development arrives after Skipper Babar Azam was omitted from the squad due to a fracture in his right thumb last week. Read: BABAR AZAM PRESERVES SECOND SPOT IN T20I RANKINGS

“World’s second-ranked T20I batsman suffered the injury during a throw-down session, following which he was taken to a local hospital where X-rays confirmed his fracture,” the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had confirmed in a statement on Sunday.

Pakistani team was already under hot waters during the last few weeks because of the COVID-19 contraction in players, and the statement released by New Zealand Cricket authorities and Health Department stated that following careful consideration regarding Coronavirus, the Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield will not be granting the exemption which would allow the Pakistani Shaheens to return back in fields in order to train in groups while completing their time in managed isolation in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Read: PAK VS NZ: IT’S A NO FOR PAKISTAN TEAM!

Azam’s injury came just a day after Imam-ul-Haq was excluded due to a thumb fracture sustained during a net session and advised a 12-day rest.

Pakistani team is scheduled to play the first T20I against Kiwis on December 18.

ALSO READ: FINAL WARNING ISSUED FOR PAKISTANI PLAYERS IN NEW ZEALAND