MOHALI: Pakistani fast bowler Wahab Riaz and batsman Mohammad Hafeez are doubtful starters in the key World Twenty20 match against the unbeaten New Zealand on Tuesday.
Left-armer Riaz was hit by a ball on the head during a training session on Monday while Hafeez has pain in the right knee.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said in a medical bulletin that Riaz was hospitalised and later given the all-clear. It adds that his fitness will be assessed on Tuesday.
Hafeez had complained of knee pain for the last two days and the PCB says “it is likely that he would not be able to take part in the match against the Black Caps.”
Pakistan has two points from two matches in Group 2 after it beat Bangladesh before losing to rival India.
Must win game
A resurgent New Zealand will be eyeing a semi-final berth when they take on a deflated Pakistan in a World Twenty20 group match in Mohali on Tuesday.
Smarting under a six-wicket defeat to arch rivals India, Shahid Afridi's men need a victory against the table-topping Kiwis to keep their hopes alive of winning the trophy for a second time.
Pakistan won their opener against Bangladesh comfortably but things have since gone downhill as they unravelled against the Indians on Saturday, sparking an angry backlash from fans back home.
The Black Caps in contrast have been riding high with their horses for courses policy paying rich dividends against India and Australia.
New Zealand are perched on top of Group 2 with four points followed by India and Pakistan on two each from as many games.
