GEORGETOWN: Pakistan middle-order batsman Azam Khan has been ruled out of the second and third T20Is against the West Indies after sustaining a head injury during the scheduled training session.
The 22-year old, who made his debut earlier this month against England, is learnt to have been struck by a fast bowler.
According to a statement issued by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), a neurosurgeon has recommended an observation period of 24 hours following which he will be reassessed on Monday.
His availability for the fourth and final T20I will depend on the reassessment. A private website has reported that Azam Khan did not lose consciousness and was wearing a helmet at the time he was hit.
Since being called up to the national side, Khan hasn’t yet had the chance to nail down a fiercely-contested middle-order slot ahead of the T20 World Cup squad announcement, with this series the last T20I engagement before Pakistan name their squad.
He came in to bat in the last over on debut, and got out cheaply in the game that followed, only to be dropped for the decider against England.
All three remaining games will take place in Guyana, with Saturday’s contest the first of back-to-back weekend games, before the final match on Tuesday. The T20Is will be followed by two Tests starting August 12 and 20, and both will be played in Kingston.
