Young Pakistan fast bowler Abbas Afridi was on Tuesday ruled out of the third T20I while hosts New Zealand lost the services of their captain Kane Williamson for the remainder of the five-match series.
The Pakistan team management confirmed in a statement that a low grade abdominal muscle strain to Afridi will keep him out of the third T20I, with a decision on his availability for the remaining two matches to be taken later. “His scan has shown no sign of significant injury, and he will be managed symptomatically.
His availability for the last two games will be made at a later stage,” the management statement said. The 22-year-old right-arm pacer Afridi made his international debut for Pakistan in this series.
Pakistan are already without fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, who played in their opening Test against Australia last month, as well as spinners Abrar Ahmed and Noman Ali owing to injuries.