England vs Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez unavailable for T20I and two ODIs

Pakistan have reached England early to prepare for the World Cup and are also set to play a one-off T20I and a five-match ODI series against the hosts. But their preparations are hindered by the absence of key veteran players. Shadab Khan is already missing as he is ill due to the virus while Shoaib Malik has returned home for personal reasons. They have been jolted with another blow as Mohammad Hafeez is set to miss the T20I and the first two ODIs against England due to a hand injury.

He sustained the injury during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) earlier this year and is yet to play in any of the practice games on the tour. However, Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) media director Samiul Hasan Burney is confident that the all-rounder will regain full fitness for the last three One-Day Internationals of the series.

He confirmed Hafeez’s absence from the first few fixtures while speaking to Geo News on Thursday even as Pakistan prepare for the one-off T20I against England which is to be played on May 5. It is also learnt that the veteran has started batting and bowling practice in the nets.

Arthur confident of Hafeez’s fitness

Last week, the Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur had also expressed his satisfaction over Mohammad Hafeez’s recovery from hand injury. He was upbeat about the cricketer not getting ruled out of the ODI series. “He [Hafeez] has bowled and he has fielded. Hafeez is ahead of where we want him and that’s great news. He has been doing a lot of work so don’t rule out Hafeez in the one-day series,” Arthur had said.

The ODI series between Pakistan and England is all set to commence on May at the Kennington Oval in London. The Men in Green will get their World Cup campaign underway against Windies on May 31 in Nottingham.

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