Islamabad: Pakistan leg spinner Shadab Khan has been ruled out of next month’s One Day International series against England due to illness.
The Pakistan Cricket Board says in a statement that “tests revealed a virus that will require treatment and rest for, at least, four weeks.”
The PCB didn’t reveal the exact nature of Shadab’s illness. The five-match ODI series against England begins May 8.
Shadab is also part of Pakistan’s World Cup squad and if he can’t recover in time, the PCB can replace him before May 23 without seeking permission of the ICC.
The PCB will now set up an appointment with specialists in England to help Shadab recover fully before Pakistan takes on the West Indies in its first World Cup match at Trent Bridge on May 31.
Shadab is the only specialist named in Pakistan’s World Cup squad. All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez is the other spin option with Shoaib Malek. But Hafeez is also recovering from a finger injury he sustained during the Pakistan Super League match.
