Naseem Shah to travel with the Pakistan team to New Zealand

Naseem Shah of the Pakistan National team did not play the fifth T20I against England in Lahore after he was rushed to hospital a day before the game with a serious viral infection. He was set to appear in the match, but the youngster was forced into hospital on Tuesday night after his health declined. Even though he feels better, his engagement in the remaining series is in jeopardy. The Pakistan Cricket Board stated that he was hospitalized with a viral infection, but his health improved. 

The statement confirmed he would not participate in Wednesday’s match and whether he plays in the remaining matches will rely on the report from the medical team. 

Naseem Shah Dengue Scare

A source close to the team had earlier stated he underwent tests for dengue since the mosquito-borne infection was rampant last month, with many cases registered daily.

The source stated that he had complained of fever and chest pains since Tuesday after they arrived at Lahore from Karachi with the match tied at 2-2.

He had played the opener before his absence in the last three games. The 21-year-old was the team’s bowler after the absence of Shaheen Afridi, the pace spearhead who had been missing in action since July due to a knee injury. 

The player later tested positive for COVID-19, which meant he would miss the Twenty20s against England. Shah was released from the hospital on Thursday after doctors confirmed he had pneumonia, and the PCB revealed the fast bowler was feeling better. 

He returned to the team hotel, where he was required to follow the relevant protocols. The team will leave for New Zealand on Monday to participate in a triangular Twenty20 series that includes Bangladesh. 

The Cricket Board did not reveal if he would accompany the team. He played one game in the seven-match series against England before he was rested. He managed to hit impressive figures of 0-41 in the first match though six wickets beat Pakistan. 

The PCB didn’t clarify whether the fast bowler would accompany the team to New Zealand.

Shah’s Fate

Shah played only one game in the seven-match series against England at Karachi before being rested. He returned expensive figures of 0-41 off his four overs in the first match, which England won by six wickets.

The medical team initially told Shah to have D-dimer, HRCT, and Ferritin tests, but he refused to have all of them done. His oxygen saturation level was 98%. 

On Friday, it was confirmed the fast bowler would travel with the team to New Zealand after going through with the two-day isolation back home. The PCB also confirmed the team would be leaving for New Zealand on Monday in the triangular Twenty20 series that includes Bangladesh before the T20 World Cup held in Australia. 

Naseem Was The Second Individual in the Team to Test Positive

Naseem was the second individual in the Pakistan Cricket Team’s camp during the recent series against England to have tested positive for the coronavirus a week after an unnamed staff member was found to have contracted the virus. At the time, the person did not go with the team to the National Stadium Karachi for the second T20I, and no delays were reported before and during the game. 

Naseem was present in the recent series’ first match and fully involved in the just-ended Asia Cup. Since Shaheen Shah Afridi was unavailable due to being ruled out with injury, he had taken over from the left-armer as the team’s premier new-ball bowler. Shaheen Shah Afridi, currently receiving treatment in London for a knee injury, will be available for the national team during the Cricket World Cup.