Pakistan suffer Irfan blow for Asia Cup, World T20

Pakistan suffered a major blow to their Asia Cup and World Twenty20 aspirations as giant fast bowler Mohammad Irfan was ruled out of both events due to a recurrence of his hip injury.

Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik have been included in the squad for the World T20 while Fawad Alam aslo returns to the ODI squad after an absence of over two years.

The Asia Cup will be held in Bangladesh from February 25 to March 8.

Besides Pakistan - the defending champions - India, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and hosts Bangladesh will also take part in the event.

The fifth edition of the World T20 with 16 teams in competition will also be held in Bangladesh from March 16 to April 6.

Asia Cup squad:

Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Sharjeel Khan, Shahid Afridi, Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, Fawad Alam, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Junaid Khan, Umar Gul, Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti, Mohammad Talha

World Twenty20 squad:

Mohammad Hafeez (Captain), Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Saeed Ajmal, Umar Gul, Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Junaid Khan, Bilawal Bhatti, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Zulfiqar Babar, Mohammad Talha, Ahmed Shehzad, Kamran Akmal

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