Zaheer Abbas admitted in London hospital's ICU after contracting Covid-19

Former Pakistan captain Zaheer Abbas was sent to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) in a London hospital following a rapid decline in his health condition. After arriving in London from the United Arab Emirates, Abbas, 74, contracted the Covid-19 virus and fell critically ill. His health conditions started worsening and thus he was shifted to the ICU.

Abbas was reportedly sent to the hospital three days ago citing kidney distress, but the sources also claimed that the former player had serious pneumonia. The family has asked the supporters to pray for Zaheer Abbas’ recovery as he is undergoing dialysis and receiving an oxygen supply.

According to a report by Cricket Pakistan, the former Test captain is presently a patient at St. Mary’s Hospital’s ICU ward in London. “He is currently on dialysis and the doctors have advised him to refrain from meeting people,” the sources said as per quoted by Geo News.

One of the finest batters of his era, Abbas made his debut for his country in 1969 against New Zealand. In contrast to his 2572 runs in 62 ODIs, he scored 5062 runs in 72 Tests. He scored 34,843 runs in 459 matches in First-Class cricket, including 108 centuries and 158 half-centuries.

Zaheer Abbas made batting an art form: Alan Wilkins

He also officiated one Test and three ODIs for the ICC as a match referee after retiring. 2020 saw him, together with Jacques Kallis and Lisa Sthalekar, getting inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame. Needless to mention, the renowned cricket star received a flood of well wishes on social media. Mohammad Hafeez, Alan Wilkins, Harsha Bhogle, and many of his loyal supporters have voiced their concerns and wished him a swift recovery.

While Mohammad Hafeez wrote: “Wishing speedy recovery & complete health to Zaheer Abbas sb. Get well soon. Aameen”, Alan Wilkins tweeted: “Pray for “Zed” – the mercurially gifted Zaheer Abbas – who made batting an art form at a level few in the history of the game have matched.”

Retweeting Wilkins’s tweet, Harsha Bhogle wrote: “What a player. Speaks with the same nazakat with which he batted. Hope he recovers soon.”