Injuries trouble Pakistan ahead of Bangladesh T20I series

Pakistan's preparations for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh have been hit by injury concerns, with several key players likely to miss the tour.

According to sources, the training camp for the series will begin on July 8 at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi. However, vice-captain Shadab Khan is facing a serious fitness issue and is unlikely to be available.

Shadab has been dealing with persistent pain in his right shoulder, and doctors have advised surgery, which is expected to be carried out in the United Kingdom. The surgery would rule him out for around three months.

Fast bowlers Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr. are also not fully fit and remain doubtful for the series.

With these injuries, the selectors are considering fresh options. Sources say pacer Salman Mirza is likely to be included in the squad. He impressed during the last Pakistan Super League season, taking nine wickets in four matches for Lahore Qalandars with an average of 15.00.

Left-arm spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, who has taken 18 wickets in 10 T20Is, is confirmed to be part of the squad for the Bangladesh series.

Speedster Haris Rauf will also be named, but he is not expected to play any of the three matches.

Meanwhile, senior players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi—who were dropped during the last home series against Bangladesh—are still not in the selection plans. 

All three T20Is against Bangladesh will be played at the Shere-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. The matches are scheduled to start at 5:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time.

The Pakistan squad is expected to arrive in Dhaka on July 16. The series will begin on July 20, with the remaining two matches scheduled for July 22 and July 24.

The two teams last met in May, when Pakistan secured a 3-0 win in a home series.