Major blow for Pakistan ahead of third ODI against Zimbabwe

Pakistan's cricket team has suffered a significant blow as fast bowlers Ahmed Daniyal and Shahnawaz Dahani have been ruled out of the ongoing ODI series against Zimbabwe. 

The duo sustained injuries during a training session on Sunday, forcing them to return to Pakistan today (Wednesday).

Ahmed Daniyal suffered a hamstring injury, while Dahani injured his left ankle. Following initial scans and clinical assessments, it was decided that both players would return to Lahore and report to the National Cricket Academy. There, they will undergo rehabilitation under the supervision of medical staff to ensure a safe recovery and return to competitive cricket.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has called up Abbas Afridi and Jahandad Khan as replacements. The two players are expected to join the squad in Bulawayo ahead of Thursday's series-deciding third ODI. Both Afridi and Jahandad are part of Pakistan's squad for the T20I series, which is scheduled to take place in Bulawayo on December 1, 3, and 5.

In addition, Aamir Jamal, who featured in both ODIs, has been named as Ahmed Daniyal's replacement in the T20I squad.

The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Zimbabwe has been a rollercoaster for both sides. Zimbabwe claimed the rain-affected opener with an 80-run victory, but Pakistan bounced back in style in the second ODI, successfully chasing 146 runs thanks to a match-winning century by Saim Ayub, who scored an impressive 113 runs.

The decisive third and final clash is scheduled for Thursday, November 28, at the same venue.

Pakistan T20I squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan