Pakistan will be without Fakhar Zaman for their next match at the 2023 World Cup, against Australia at Bengaluru. Salman Agha is also uncertain.

For their next match, against Australia at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium on October 20, Pakistan will be without opening batter Fakhar Zaman, who picked up an injury and will not be available for selection until next week.

Batting all-rounder Salman Agha, too, caught a fever at the last practice session and is still recovering. However, Fakhar was dropped after one match, and Salman is yet to play at this World Cup.

There is good news as well. After contracting a viral infection, opening batter Abdullah Shafique, who replaced Fakhar in the XI over the World Cup, had contracted a viral infection and had been quarantined. Fit now, Shafique trained with the team.

In fact, barring Fakhar and Salman, every other Pakistan cricketer is available for selection at Bengaluru.

Who joined the practice session in Bengaluru?

The Pakistan squad trained in Bengaluru a day before the match against Australia at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Five players did not take part in the practice session: Haris Rauf, Usama Mir, Fakhar Zaman (knee injury), Salman Agha and Iftikhar Ahmed. 

Pakistan squad for the 2023 World Cup: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Salman Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Usama Mir.

Australia have a fitness update of their own. Travis Head’s fractured hand has recovered quicker than expected, and he will join the squad in India anytime soon. While he will miss the Pakistan clash, Head may be available for the Netherlands match on October 25.

Australia squad for the 2023 World Cup: Pat Cummins (c), Alex Carey (wk), Josh Inglis (wk), Travis Head, David Warner, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Cam Green, Mitchell Marsh, Marcus Stoinis, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Adam Zampa.

With four points from three games and a net run rate of -0.137, Pakistan are currently fourth in the points table. Seventh-placed Australia have two points from as many matches along with a net run rate of -0.734.

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