LAHORE: Pakistan added Maaz Sadaqat as cover and released Sufiyan Muqeem from its One-Day International (ODI) tri-series squad on Sunday, with the cricket board citing Lahore’s pitches as the reason for the spinner’s departure.
Muqeem will return to domestic cricket. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) explained that it released the left-arm wrist-spinner “keeping in view the nature of Lahore pitches”.
Meanwhile, Sadaqat joins as batting cover for players carrying minor niggles. His addition provides an option if required, although the board did not identify the affected players or describe their conditions.
Both changes concern Pakistan’s squad for the tournament involving England and Sri Lanka. Sadaqat’s inclusion does not, by itself, confirm a place in the playing XI.
Muqeem, 24, has taken eight wickets in four ODIs for Pakistan. He has also claimed 30 wickets across 22 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).
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Sadaqat has played six ODIs, scoring 134 runs, including one half-century. In five T20Is, the left-handed batter has accumulated 184 runs at a strike rate of 170.37.
Pakistan’s revised squad includes Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Haris Rauf, Hasan Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan and Sadaqat. Ghori and Baig are the designated wicketkeepers.
Sunday’s match against England at Gaddafi Stadium opens the Lahore leg of the competition. Pakistan entered that fixture after winning their opening two matches in Rawalpindi. Their next scheduled opponent is Sri Lanka on Tuesday.
(With additional input from the Pakistan Cricket Board)
