Wrist spinner Shadab Khan has been ruled out of the series against England after tests revealed a virus that will require treatment and rest for, at least, four weeks. Leg spinner Yasir Shah has been named as Shadab’s replacement. Yasir has taken 23 wickets in 24 ODIs, while on his last tour to England in 2016, he finished with 19 wickets in four Tests. Yasir will travel with the side to England on April 23. 20-year-old Shadab has played 34 one-day internationals for Pakistan and was included in their 15-man squad for the May 30-July 14 World Cup in England and Wales. The series against England, comprising a T20I and five ODIs, will be played from May 5 to 19.
The Pakistan Cricket Board will now set-up Shadab’s appointment with specialists in England to help him fully recover before Pakistan’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019 opener against the West Indies on May 31 at Trent Bridge. The selectors have already included Asif Ali and Mohammad Amir as additional players to the 15-player World Cup squad. Pakistan, like any other participating side, has the flexibility to make changes to their World Cup squad until May 23. The PCB is also waiting on the fitness of Mohammad Hafeez, who was included while still recovering from the finger injury he picked up during the Pakistan Super League. Hafeez is Pakistan’s other major spin option, alongside fellow allrounder Imad Wasim.
England series schedule:
27 April – v Kent (50-over practice match) (d)
29 April – v Northamptonshire (50-over match) (d)
1 May – v Leicestershire (T20 match) (d/n)
5 May – v England (only T20I), Cardiff (d)
8 May – 1st ODI v England, The Oval (d/n)
11 May – 2nd ODI v England, Hampshire (d)
14 May – 3rd ODI v England, Bristol (d/n)
17 May – 4th ODI v England, Trent Bridge (d/n)
19 May – 5th ODI v England, Leeds (d).