In-form Southern Punjab leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood is likely to replace Shadab Khan for the T20I series against South Africa.

Mehmood is currently the leading wicket-taker in the ongoing Pakistan Cup one-day tournament, with 13 wickets in seven games. He also claimed 12 wickets in nine games during the last edition of National T20 Cup.

Towards the end of December, last year, PCB had stated that Shadab, who was diagnosed with “high grade full thickness tear to the Rectus Femoris muscle”, will miss the second Test against New Zealand in Christchurch and the home series against South Africa after being advised a six-week rest following MRI scans confirmed injury to the left thigh.

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Middle-order batsman Sohaib Maqsood, wicketkeeper-batsman Azam Khan and openers Sharjeel Khan and Zeeshan Malik’s names are also under consideration for the series.  

The three-match T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa is scheduled for February 11, 13 and 14.