Pakistan’s right-arm fast bowler Zaman Khan has expressed his excitement about playing the Super 4 Asia Cup match against Sri Lanka, saying that he never thought that he would participate in such a mega event.
Zaman has been included in the Asia Cup squad as a replacement for Naseem Shah – who was ruled out with a right shoulder injury during the match against India.
Additionally, star pacer Haris Rauf was also injured in the match against the arch-rivals and did not bowl during the reserve day when play resumed.
In response to the injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PSC) called up Shahnawaz Dhirman as a precautionary measure and Zaman Khan as backup.
Zaman, 22, has flown in from Pakistan and is already a household name in national cricket after his heroics for champions Lahore Qalandars in this year’s Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Talking about his inclusion in the team, Zaman said that he feels very good about the decision. He said that I never thought that I will be included in the squad, it is an honor for me to play for Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
The right-arm fast bowler said that he has made his debut in T20 cricket, adding that he is happy to meet other players after a long time.
The fast bowler said that Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi have played a lot of matches and I asked them how to bowl on Sri Lankan pitches.
Zaman further said that he inquired about the playing conditions in Sri Lanka, hoping that the green shirts will play well.
Pakistan’s last Super 4 match is against Sri Lanka in Colombo today (Thursday). The winning team today will qualify for the final against India scheduled on Sunday at the same venue.
Pakistan made five changes to their team that lost to India with Mohammad Haris, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim and Zaman.
Pakistan XI: Muhammad Haris, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam (captain), Muhammad Rizwan (wicket), Saud Shakeel, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Muhammad Nawaz, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Muhammad Wasim, Zaman Khan
