After Shaheen Shah Afridi’s withdrawal because of a knee injury, Pakistan have been dealt another scare ahead of their Asia Cup opener against India on August 28, with fast bowler Mohammad Wasim pulling up with back torment during training in Dubai.

Wasim, who turned 21 on Thursday, complained of pain in his lower back during a bowling session at the ICC Academy. He is believed to have gone through an MRI scan. Wasim has been part of each of the team’s three instructional meetings since showing up in Dubai on Tuesday.

ESPNcricinfo comprehends the scan is precautionary, with the PCB not wanting to gamble with a potential long term injury, given how much cricket they are set to play leading into the T20 World Cup in Australia this October-November.

After the Asia Cup, Pakistan are set to play England in seven T20Is at home, followed by a tri-series in New Zealand before they head to Australia. At the Asia Cup, they might actually play five games in 12 days given they make the Super Four stage.

Wasim has so far featured in 11 T20Is since his debut last July against West Indies. He has picked up 17 wickets at an average of 15.88 and an economy of 8.10. Wasim was especially impressive in the home series against Australia this March, where he got five wickets in three ODIs as Pakistan overturned a 1-0 deficit to secure the series.

The injury could be a concern, given the team management is as of now wrestling with Afridi’s absence from the tournament. In spite of the injury, Afridi has been part of the travelling squad for four weeks, and is currently undergoing on-tour recovery in the UAE as Pakistan hope to have him fit for the T20 World Cup.

Afridi has been working with fast-bowling consultant Shaun Tait. His absence had before prompted Mohammad Hasnain getting a late call-up to join the Asia Cup squad. Haris Rauf, Shahnawaz Dahani and Naseem Shah are the other quick bowlers in the visiting party.

PCB reinforces staff group for Asia Cup

Pakistan have added Umar Rashid as assistant to fast-bowling coach Tait for the Asia Cup following a suggestion from head coach Saqlain Mushtaq. 

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Rashid, who has an impressive body of work at the National High Performance Centre, has worked with all the ongoing yield of fast-bowlers around the national set-up at the age-group levels.

More Recently, Rashid is attributed to have assisted Hasnain with getting back to competitive cricket after being accounted for for suspected action during the BBL in January. The flex in Hasnain’s elbow was found to be around 17-24 degrees, well above permissible levels.