Aaqib Javed shares key fitness updates on Naseem Shah, Wasim Jr ahead of Bangladesh tour

He confirmed that both bowlers have resumed bowling in the nets and are showing encouraging signs of recovery

PHOTO: AFP

Director of High Performance and former fast bowler Aaqib Javed has provided an important update on the fitness of young pacers Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr ahead of Pakistan's upcoming white-ball tours to Bangladesh and the West Indies.

Speaking at a press conference after the conclusion of the third phase of the PCB’s Skills Development Camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), Aaqib confirmed that both bowlers have resumed bowling in the nets and are showing encouraging signs of recovery.

“Naseem had some injury issues in the past, but now he is coming here daily, bowling and improving his fitness more and more. Wasim also had an injury and now he is bowling again,” Javed said.

Earlier, there were concerns that the duo might miss the upcoming series due to fitness problems. However, recent developments suggest that both Naseem and Wasim are likely to be fit in time for the national squad’s selection.

Meanwhile, leg-spinner and T20I vice-captain Shadab Khan remains unavailable due to a long-standing shoulder issue. He is expected to undergo surgery soon after experiencing continued discomfort, ruling him out of the near-future fixtures.

In Shadab’s absence, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris is being considered the front-runner to take over vice-captaincy duties for the upcoming assignments.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has already announced the schedule for the three-match T20I series against Pakistan, which will begin on July 20. Pakistan is set to arrive in Dhaka on July 16. All three matches will be played at the Shere-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, with the games starting at 6 PM local time (5 PM Pakistan Standard Time).

Pakistan's T20I series schedule against Bangladesh: