Fakhar was originally dropped from the squad because of poor form and injury, with an uncapped Shan Masood replacing him for the home T20Is against England, the tri-nation series in New Zealand, and for the World Cup.
Qadir’s selection for the World Cup squad had raised eyebrows as the legspinner had played just one match in the Asia Cup and had limited match-time prior to it. In the three T20Is against England, before he got injured, he had figures of 2 for 36, 0 for 41 and 2 for 48.
His injury means Shadab Khan and Mohammad Nawaz are now the only frontline spinners in Pakistan’s squad of 15, with Iftikhar Ahmed able to chip in with his offspin, if required. Shaheen, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim and Mohammad Hasnain are the fast-bowling options.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (capt), Shadab Khan (vice-capt), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood
Travelling reserves: Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir