Hard-hitting Pakistan batsman Azam Khan has been ruled out of the second and third T20Is against West Indies after sustaining a head injury during the training session, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Azam Khan was taken to hospital after he was hit on the head during Friday’s practice session where he underwent CT Scan.

In an official statement, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said “A neurosurgeon has recommended an observation period of 24 hours. He will then be reassessed on Monday.”

Azam Khan’s availability for the fourth and final T20I will depend on the reassessment done on Monday.

https://twitter.com/TheRealPCBMedia/status/1421316657381838853

The last three T20Is between Pakistan and West Indies will be played in Guyana from July 31 to August 3. The first T20I between West Indies and Pakistan was abandoned due to rain.

Meanwhile, Pakistan will clash with the West Indies in the second T20 International of the series at Providence today (July 31) after the first encounter was abandoned due to rain on Wednesday at Bridgetown.

Originally, Pakistan had to play a series of five T20 Internationals along with a two-Test series on the West Indies tour, but an entire T20I was dropped after one of the non-playing staff in the West Indies set-up tested positive for coronavirus.

The first T20I was abandoned after steady rain interrupted the play and reduced the match to nine overs per side. West Indies totalled 85 for five, batting first.

Today, Pakistan are playing their 175th T20I overall, the most by any country in the world whereas the hosts are playing their 142nd match in this format. Both countries have so far played 15 T20 Internationals together and Pakistan are much ahead with 11 wins, whereas the West Indies have won only two-three matches were tied and one had no result.

Pakistan and West Indies are on the final legs of their preparation for the T20 World Cup to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from October 17, this year. West Indies are the defending champions of the Cup. Though the Pakistan side is looking very balanced with a galaxy of young all-rounders, batsmen and bowlers with an excellent record against the hosts, they have recently lost a three-match T20I series 1-2 to England where no batsman except skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan could perform well. Bowlers Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Mohammad Hasnain played well but they could not get the series for Pakistan.

West Indies, on the other hand, have just ended a series against Australia with an impressive 4-1 victory. They are being led by hard-hitting Kieron Pollard, having services of experienced batsmen Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo and Jason Holder and good bowlers in Fidel Edward and Andre Russell.

Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Arshad Iqbal, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Afridi, Sharjeel Khan, Usman Qadir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sohaib Maqsood.

West Indies Squad: Kieron Pollard (c), Nicholas Pooran (wk), Fabian Allen, Dwayne Bravo, Sheldon Cottrell, Fidel Edwards, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Evin Lewis, Obed McCoy, Andre Russell, Lendl Simmons, Kevin Sinclair, Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh.

Full Schedule

1st T20I, July 28, Bridgetown, Barbados – 7:30 PM IST

2nd T20I, July 31, Providence Stadium, Guyana – 8:30 PM IST

3rd T20I, August 1, Providence Stadium, Guyana – 8:30 PM IST

4th T20I, August 3, Providence Stadium, Guyana – 8:30 PM IST

Test series
1st Test, August 12-16, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica – 8:30 PM IST

2nd Test, August 20-24, Sabina Park, Kingston, Jamaica – 8:30 PM IST