Leg-spinner Usman Qadir has been substituted by left-handed hitter Fakhar Zaman in Pakistan's Men's T20 World Cup roster, according to an announcement made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday.
The switch was required, according to the PCB, since Qadir has not yet fully recovered from the hairline fracture he sustained on his right thumb during the September 25 T20I match against England in Karachi. Before October 22, the leg-spinner won't be up for selection.
On Saturday, Fakhar, who had previously been signed as a reserve player, would fly from London to Brisbane with left-arm bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had been getting treatment for a right knee ailment.
The two will be available for selection in Pakistan's exhibition games against England on October 17 and Afghanistan on October 19, when the team management will evaluate left-handed batter Zaman's health following his recovery from a knee injury.
The 2009 World Cup champions, Pakistan, will begin their Men's T20 campaign on October 23 at the storied Melbourne Cricket Ground in a Super12 match against arch-rivals India (MCG).
On Friday, they won the T20I tri-series at Christchurch, defeating New Zealand by five wickets at Hagley Oval.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shan Masood.
Traveling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani and Usman Qadir.