Young fast bowler Mohammad Ilyas has joined the Multan Sultans squad as a replacement for injured Shahnawaz Dahani for the ongoing eighth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL).
Dahani, who sustained an index finger fracture during Multans' opening clash of the PSL 8 against Lahore Qalandars, has been ruled out of the event.
This is going to be Ilyas' second stint with Multan, as the pacer has previously represented them.
Earlier, sources said, the 2021 champions were aiming to replace the pacer with West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite.
However, the Mohammad Rizwan-led side settled for Ilyas, who has 58 wickets in 51 T20 innings.
It is worth mentioning here that Dahani was hit on the finger, after a shot by Sikandar Raza, during Monday's match against Lahore Qalandars, which the defending champions won by one run.
Lahore Qalandars beat Multan Sultans by one run in the opening clash of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Zaman Khan defended 15 runs in the last over to win the game for his side.
The Larkana-hailed fast bowler's absence has dented the bowling depth of last year's runners-up despite Ilyas bringing in experience from domestic cricket.
Dahani has claimed 55 wickets in 41 T20 matches over the course of his career and is considered an important part of the Sultans' bowling attack.
Sultans' next match in the PSL is against Quetta Gladiators today (Wednesday), February 15, in Multan.
Rawalpindi will stage 11 fixtures, Karachi and Lahore will host nine matches each, whereas Multan will have five home games.
Afternoon matches will start at 2 pm local time, meanwhile, evening matches in Karachi, Lahore, and Rawalpindi will start at 7 pm. Evening matches in Multan will begin at 6 pm.
It is should be noted here that the winner will not only lift the Supernova Trophy but will also collect a cheque of Rs120m, while the runners-up will receive a cheque of Rs48m.
Multan's updated squad
Mohammad Rizwan (c & wk), David Miller, Josh Little, Shan Masood, Khushdil Shah, Rilee Rossouw, Akeal Hosain, Mohammad Ilyas, Tim David, Usama Mir, Sameen Gul, Anwar Ali, Mohammad Sarwar, Usman Khan, Arafat Minhas, Ihsanullah, Abbas Afridi, Kieron Pollard, Ammad Butt, Wayne Parnell, IzharulHaq Naveed.