Fakhar Zaman replaces Usman Qadir in Pakistan's squad for T20 World Cup

Pakistan squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in place of leg-spinner Usman Qadir who is yet to recover from an injury. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Fakhar would be part of the official 15-member T20 World Cup squad while Qadir, who is still recovering from a fractured thumb, will join the travelling reserves. “The change was necessary as Usman Qadir is yet to recover from a hairline fracture on his right thumb that he suffered during the 25 September T20I against England in Karachi. The leg-spinner will not be available for selection before 22 October,” the PCB said in a statement.

Read AlsoSideshow to money-spinner: The rise and rise of T20 cricket

In barely 20 years, Twenty20 cricket has gone from being a light-hearted sideshow to a money-spinning, central plank of the sport's global calendar. With the eighth T20 World Cup starting in Australia on Sunday, here's a look at the rise and rise of the game's big-hitting, crowd-pleasing format.

It said Zaman will arrive in Brisbane from London along with Shaheen Shah Afridi on Saturday and will be available for selection for the two warm-up matches against England (October 17) and Afghanistan (October 19), during which the team management will assess the left-handed batter's fitness. Zaman was ruled out of the recent home T20I series against England after injuring his knee during fielding in the Asia Cup final in Dubai. He was also sent to London along with Afridi to undergo rehabilitation for the injury.

Read AlsoT20 World Cup 2022: A factbox

Australia is set to host the eighth edition of the ICC Twenty20 World Cup, which takes place from October 16 to November 13 across seven venues Down Under.

The match fitness of Afridi will also be tested during the two