Daily Times

Pakistan’s all-rounder Shadab Khan has been declared fit for the upcoming International Cricket Council (ICC) World Cup after he was successfully treated for an infection, a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman said on Tuesday. The 20-year-old leg-spinner will fly to England on May 16 (tomorrow) and consult Dr Patrick Kennedy before joining the team on May 20. Shadab, 20, was originally named in the squads for the current England limited-overs series and World Cup only to be ruled out after contracting a virus. Blood tests confirmed that he had contracted the disease and he was subsequently ruled out from the England tour, where a five-match one day international series is underway. Yasir Shah, who was included in the team after Shadab was sidelined, will return to Pakistan. However, Shadab’s participation in the pre-World Cup warm up matches against Afghanistan and Bangladesh – scheduled to take place on May 24 and 26 respectively – is subject to his fitness and team management’s decision, the spokesman added.

“I am delighted to know that the blood tests are negative and I can now return to competitive cricket,” Shadab said in a statement. “I was always very confident that I would fully recover from the viral infection and will be available for the World Cup.” He further said: “Having played and won the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, I understand the importance, flavour and glamour of global events and what success in such events mean to the players and the public. I am looking forward to featuring in the World Cup and will leave no stone unturned in helping Pakistan put up a strong show.”

Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur remains hopeful that the all-rounder will regain full fitness ahead of their World Cup opener against West Indies in Nottingham on May 31. “Shadab’s inclusion also balances what is a young but extremely talented squad,” Arthur said. “I understand it will take Shadab some time to be back at his brilliant best as he has not played cricket for a few weeks, but our first game is on 31st May and he has got two weeks to regain complete form and fitness.” Arthur said Shadab was one of the finest of his generation and was an influential figure in the team. “His presence in the dressing room and on the field of play keeps the side geared up and motivated. Shadab’s inclusion also balances what is a young but extremely talented squad.”

Meanwhile, chances of Mohammad Amir’s inclusion in the World Cup are diminishing after he was diagnosed with chicken pox which makes it unlikely that he would be able to play the ongoing ODI series against England. He was not named in the initially announced World Cup squad but was included in the side to face England in the ODI series which was a gateway to make a case for himself for World Cup selection. The deadline to make changes in the World Cup lineup is May 23. After the deadline has expired, a player has to obtain a medical certificate from ICC’s technical committee before joining the final team.

Pakistan’s full World Cup squad: Fakhar Zaman, Imamul Haq, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Harris Sohail, Sarfaraz Ahmed (c, wk), Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hasnain.