Toe injury rules Shadab Khan out of South Africa and Zimbabwe tours

Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has suffered yet another injury blow and is set to spend a good amount of time on the sidelines. He will miss the rest of the ongoing tour of South Africa and the forthcoming tour of Zimbabwe after suffering a toe injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday (March 5).

Shadab injured his left toe while batting during the second ODI against South Africa on Monday. He came out to bat at number six and scored 13 runs off 22 deliveries before left-arm wrist-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi trapped him in front of the stumps.

Earlier in the match, the leg-spinner had bowled nine overs, giving away 64 runs at an economy rate of 7.10 while failing to take any wicket. Shadab Khan will now remain on the sidelines for up to four weeks after sustaining the injury.

“X-rays conducted following the match revealed an ‘intra articular communicated fracture’ though there is neither any displacement nor angulation. The injury will be treated conservatively and Shadab will undergo a four-week rehab,” PCB stated in the statement.

Shadab Khan’s injury woes

Shadab Khan has suffered several injury setbacks in recent months. The forced break from the action has also affected his bowling. Pakistan’s limited-overs vice-captain had missed the home white-ball series against Zimbabwe late last year with a groin injury but had recovered in time for the New Zealand tour.

However, the injury worsened during a tour game in Christchurch. But he recovered in time to lead the team in the T20 series in absence of Babar Azam. The injury ruled him out of the subsequent Test series as well as the home series against South Africa. Shadab returned to action in the PSL but struggled.

He averaged 56.50 with the ball in four games as he managed only two wickets while conceding 8.69 runs per over. The leg-spinner would be hoping that the latest break helps him to get his mojo back. Meanwhile, Pakistan and South Africa will fight it out in the third ODI on Wednesday before taking on each other in a four-match T20I series. After that, Pakistan will visit Zimbabwe for three T20Is and two Tests.

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