Pakistan's tearaway quick Naseem Shah diagnosed with pneumonia

Pakistan's tearaway quick Naseem Shah was rushed to the hospital for treatment after the youngster contracted pneumonia ahead of the Men in Green's clash with England in the fifth T20I at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday, September 28.

The ongoing seven-match series against England has now moved to its Lahore leg and Naseem was likely to feature in the fifth game but had to be hospitalised after the youngster's health deteriorated. 

Pakistan would hope that the 19-year-old fast bowler recovers soon as he is an integral part of their T20I outfit and one of the 15 players, who have been named in Pakistan's squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia starting next month in October.

Left-arm seamer and Pakistan's bowling spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi is already under rehabilitation and nursing his knee injury in England.

Naseem made his T20I debut against arch-rivals India recently during Pakistan's opening fixture of the Asia Cup 2022 in Dubai. Apart from his bowling prowess, Naseem also proved his batting calibre during the Asia Cup when he helped Pakistan snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in a Super 4 match against Afghanistan.

The ongoing seven-match series with England is currently levelled at 2-2 after the end of four games and the Karachi leg of the tour. Both Pakistan and England have played some quality cricket thus far in the series and have focused on giving adequate amount of game time to players ahead of the much anticipated marquee event next month.

England have been playing without their regular white-ball skipper Jos Buttler, who is recovering from a calf injury that he sustained while playing in The Hundred before the Pakistan tour. Vice-captain Moeen Ali has been leading the side in his absence.

Pakistan will kickstart their T20 World Cup 2022 campaign with a high-profile game against their Asian neighbours India on Sunday, October 23 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).