Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah has been ruled out of the ongoing 7-match T20I series against England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Thursday.
Notably, Naseem tested positive for COVID-19 one day after it was revealed he had contracted pneumonia. Though the speedster has been released from the hospital, and the PCB said he was feeling better, but will not be available for the remaining two T20Is.
“Shah is back in the team hotel where he will follow all COVID-19 protocols,” the PCB said in a statement.
This also makes Naseem doubtful for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand, which is scheduled to get underway in Christchurch on October 7 as preparation for the T20 World Cup in Australia.
The Pakistan squad is set to leave for New Zealand on October 3 to participate in the T20I tri-series also featuring Bangladesh, with the final to take place on October 14. The Men in Green will then depart for Australia for the multi-team event, where they will play a couple of warm-ups before meeting arch-rivals India in their first group game on October 23 in Melbourne.
Notably, Naseem is the second person in the Pakistan camp to have contracted COVID-19 during the current series against England, a week after a member of the Pakistan support staff tested positive.
