ISLAMABAD (AP) – The International Cricket Council’s technical committee has approved opening batsman Nasir Jamshed as a replacement in Pakistan’s World Cup squad after Mohammad Hafeez was ruled out due to a calf injury on Sunday.
Hafeez’s injury is the second blow to Pakistan’s World Cup plans as Junaid Khan has already been replaced by Rahat Ali after the left-arm fast bowler failed to recover from a hamstring injury.
Hafeez was injured during the second One-Day International against New Zealand on Tuesday. Pakistan Cricket Board chairman Shaharyar Khan said Hafeez needed at least a month to recover and will be returning home.
Hafeez was suspended for an illegal bowling action but was selected in the World Cup squad as a batsman. The calf injury prevented the offspinner from undergoing official testing of his bowling action in Brisbane on Friday.
Jamshed has played 45 One-Day Internationals with 1 413 runs, including three centuries and eight 50s. His last ODI was against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi in December.
Pakistan are in Pool B alongside defending champion India, West Indies, South Africa, Zimbabwe and qualifiers Ireland and United Arab Emirates.
Pakistan’s first match is against India next Sunday.
