Malik, Rizwan suffering from flu ahead of Australia clash

The duo didn’t take part in the practice session today as well

PHOTO: AFP

Pakistan’s veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik and wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan are suffering from flu, ahead of the T20 World Cup semi-final against Australia tomorrow.

The duo didn’t take part in the practice session today as well.

The players cleared their respective Covid-19 tests, however the team doctor, Dr Najeeb Soomro, has advised them to rest.

Malik and Rizwan’s participation in the match against Australia will be confirmed tomorrow.

Rizwan is one of the leading run-scorers of the tournament, with 214 runs against his name, and his absence will hurt Pakistan at the top of the order and behind the stumps.

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Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed will replace Rizwan, if the latter is unavailable, but he will bat lower down the order. Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman will open the innings with skipper Babar Azam.

On the other hand, Malik, who smacked the fastest fifty in Pakistan’s T20I history against Scotland in 18 balls, is likely to be replaced by talented batsman Haider Ali.

However, the Pakistan team management is hopeful that both, Malik and Rizwan, will recover in time for the match.