LAHORE: Pakistan middle-order batsman South Shakeel is doubtful for the upcoming Test tours of West Indies and England, sources said. Jio is super On Wednesday.
Shakeel is currently undergoing rehabilitation as part of his recovery process, with medical staff closely monitoring his progress. His availability for selection remains uncertain as the team management continues to assess his fitness ahead of the tours.
According to sources, if Shakeel fails to recover in time, Pakistan’s selectors may be forced to include an alternate middle-order batsman in the ongoing red-ball training camp in Lahore.
Injury concerns could lead to further changes in the Test squad, with selectors said to have to make several changes in response to fitness-related setbacks.
Earlier, wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan was also reported to be a fitness concern. In his absence, Rohail Nasir has been included in the red ball training camp.
The Pakistan red-ball camp for the West Indies and England tours is currently underway in Lahore, where the players are undergoing scenario-based match simulations at the LCCA ground.
The team is expected to leave for the West Indies on July 13, where they will play a four-day practice match from July 18.
The series in Trinidad and Tobago will be held from July 25-29 and August 2-6 respectively.
For the uninitiated, Pakistan’s Test tour of England begins on August 19 at Headingley in Leeds, followed by the second Test at Lord’s on August 27 and the third at Edgbaston in Birmingham on September 9.
Sohail Imran
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