• PCB rules out Nawaz as he has not fully recovered from foot injury.
• “Zahid will also act as a cover for leg-spinner Shadab Khan,” says PCB.
• “We also need to reassess Shadab Khan’s fitness once he joins the squad,” says Mohammad Wasim. 

Leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood has replaced left-arm-spinner Mohammad Nawaz in the Pakistan squad against Australia as he has not fully recovered from the foot injury he suffered during the seventh edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL), a statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said. 

Nawaz has been ruled out of the three-match ODI and one-off T20I series against Australia which will be played in Lahore from March 29.

The statement further said that Zahid will also act as a cover for leg-spinner Shadab Khan, whose fitness will be reassessed in the lead-up to the white-ball series. 

Chief selector Mohammad Wasim said: “Unfortunately, Mohammad Nawaz has not recovered fully from the foot injury he suffered during PSL 7.”

Talking about Shadab’s fitness, Wasim said: “We also need to reassess Shadab Khan’s fitness once he joins the squad before playing him in this high profile series which is very important for us in terms of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup Super League points.”

“Zahid Mehmood has been with the team for the Tests and also featured in the PSL 7 for Islamabad United. We feel he is an adequate replacement in the present situation and can potentially make a contribution to the team if needed,” he added.

Pakistan’s white-ball players are scheduled to assemble at the team hotel in Lahore on March 22 and will start training on March 25.