Leg spinner Shadab Khan has been excluded from the limited series that Paksitan will play in the run up to the World Cup in England. Shadab is suffering from a virus, although the exact nature of his illness is unknown.
A PCB release said, “Tests have shown that a virus needs to be treated and rested for at least four weeks.” Yasir Shah has been named the successor of Shadab for the England series.
Shadab is also part of the Pakistani World Cup squad. If he is not fit for the showcase event, the circuit board may change the squad without obtaining a permit from the ICC until May 23.
The PCB said that further investigation into Shadab’s disease will be conducted in England. “The Pakistan Cricket Board will now arrange Shadab’s appointment with specialists in England to help them fully recover before the opening of the 2019 Pakistani World Cup against the Windies on May 31 at Trent Bridge,” she said PCB publication.
Shadab is the only specialist in Pakistan 15 for the World Cup. The board also awaits the fitness of Mohammad Hafeez, who was still in the process of recovering from the finger injury he suffered in the Pakistan Super League. Hafeez is next to the all-rounder Imad Wasim the other big spin option in Pakistan.
The series against England includes a T20I and five ODIs between May 5 and 19. In addition to the selected for the World Cup and Yasir players are two more players for this series travel to England: Pacer Mohammad Amir and Big-hitter Asif Ali.
