BRISBANE: Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad has been cleared to play in the team’s third World Cup pool ‘B’ game against Zimbabwe on Sunday after suffering an ankle injury, an official said on Friday.

The right-hander was sent for an MRI scan after team practice in Brisbane, complaining of pain in his left ankle.

“Shehzad complained of acute pain in his Achilles tendon. This occurred during a fielding training session,” said team physio Brad Robinson. “On examination he had a mild limp and was tender in his Achilles tendon.

Shehzad had an MRI in Brisbane this morning. The results showed a slight soreness. The Achilles tendon was intact and undamaged.

“I am confident he will be available to play against Zimbabwe.”

Shehzad scored 47 in the opening defeat against India but managed just one in Pakistan’s 150-run thrashing at the hands of the West Indies in Christchurch last Saturday.

Pakistan need a win to bolster their chances of reaching the quarter-finals and are currently bottom of pool ‘B’.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2015

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