Pakistan suffered an unexpected setback ahead of the T20I Tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, as batter Abdul Samad was ruled out after sustaining an injury during a fielding session at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The incident took place on Monday evening when a firmly struck ball hit Samad on his left hand, causing a split-wound on his little finger.
Initial medical assessment confirmed that the injury would require a recovery period of approximately four weeks, ruling him out of the tri-series entirely. The Pakistan Cricket Board subsequently named Hassan Nawaz as his replacement. He is expected to join the squad on 19 November.
Samad’s unavailability comes at a crucial time for Pakistan, who begin their campaign today, 18 November, against Zimbabwe at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The young batter had been seen as a key part of the squad’s middle-order depth, with team management keen to utilise his power-hitting abilities.
Hassan Nawaz, who has recently impressed selectors with his form and temperament, will now step into the squad as Pakistan look to begin the tri-series on a strong note. His inclusion adds freshness to the side, while also offering the team a like-for-like option in the batting unit.
The tri-series, featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, serves as an important build-up for the upcoming international assignments. Despite the setback, team officials remain confident that the squad retains enough balance and depth to compete strongly.
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