The preparations of Pakistan's national cricket team for the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 have been thrown into disarray as several key players have fallen victim to viral chest infection, causing concerns and disruptions on the path to the tournament.
Sources close to the team revealed that four to five players have been afflicted by a severe chest infection, resulting in high fevers and illness.
As per reports, Shaheen Shah Afridi was struck by a viral bacterial infection. He sought medical attention, including receiving antibiotic drips, to aid in his recovery.
Abdullah Shafique also succumbed to a severe high fever, with doctors currently examining his condition.
Moreover, Zaman Khan joined the ranks of those affected by a viral infection, compounding the team's woes.
Among the affected, is leg-spinner Usama Mir, who found himself battling the ailment for five days and was placed in quarantine as a precautionary measure. All medical tests conducted on Mir, aside from COVID-19 and dengue, yielded negative results.
Mir has now made a notable recovery and is reportedly available for selection once again.
Amid these challenges, the National Team's media manager disclosed that cricketers are showing signs of improvement and are on the road to recovery.
The gravity of the situation became evident as the scheduled practice session for today was canceled due to the health issues facing the national players.
It remains to be seen how this unexpected setback will impact Pakistan's preparations for the highly anticipated ICC World Cup 2023, which is just around the corner.