Pakistan suffer injury blow ahead of Women's T20 World Cup
Baig hurt the index finger in her right hand when attempting a return catch off her own bowling during Pakistan's 101-run loss to Australia in Sydney on Saturday and scans confirmed the 27-year-old had picked up a fractured finger.
The PCB medical panel have advised Baig to rest for four weeks, meaning the right-armer will miss the Women's T20 World Cup in South Africa that commences on February 11.
READ: ALL SQUADS FOR ICC WOMEN'S T20 WORLD CUP 2023
Baig has been replaced in Pakistan’s squad by right-handed batter Sadaf Shamas, who impressed with a handy innings of 30 against Australia at the top of the order on Saturday at North Sydney Oval.
Shamas will provide Pakistan with an extra batting option during the 16-day tournament, while the loss of Baig will rob the Asian country of one of their most consistent performers with the ball.
Pakistan are drawn in Group 2 at the Women’s T20 World Cup, with their first match coming against arch-rival India in Cape Town on February 13.
Pakistan squad: Bismah Maroof (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Ayesha Naseem, Sadaf Shamas, Fatima Sana, Javeria Khan, Muneeba Ali, Nashra Sandhu, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Sidra Amin, Sidra Nawaz, Tuba Hassan.
Travelling Reserves: Ghulam Fatima, Kainat Imtiaz.
