Key points
- PCB gives no reason for decision
- Pacer was top wicket-taker in Sri Lanka
- Only Australia-series player missing World Cup squad
LAHORE: Fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jr has been released from Pakistan’s T20I squad for the remainder of the three-match home series against Australia, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Friday.
In a brief statement, the PCB confirmed that the 24-year-old right-arm pacer will not be available for the final two matches of the series, though no official reason was provided for the decision.
Wasim Jr recently featured in Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka earlier this month, where he finished as the team’s leading wicket-taker, claiming five wickets in two matches at an impressive average of 12.20.
However, he was the only player from the Australia series squad not selected for Pakistan’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad, which is scheduled to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. This may have contributed to his exclusion from the ongoing series.
Wasim Jr was also not included in the playing XI for the first T20I against Australia on Thursday, which Pakistan won by 22 runs, thanks to an all-round performance from Saim Ayub.
Pakistan currently lead the series 1-0, with the remaining matches set to be played in Lahore.
Updated Pakistan squad for Australia T20Is: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq.
