LAHORE: Pakistan’s young batsman Khushdil Shah has been ruled out for up to three weeks after suffering a fracture in his left thumb while batting during Saturday’s training session in Derby, England.

According to a Pakistan Cricket Board statement issued on Sunday, left-handed Khushdil is not featuring in the ongoing four-day intra-squad match and will not be available for selection for the second four-dayer, which will be played from July 24-27 in Derby.

“As the nail is intact and there is no injury to nail bed, the orthopedic surgeon, team physician and team physiotherapist expect Khushdil to resume physical training by the end of next week,” said the PCB statement.

Khushdil, 25, is one of good upcoming players included in the 29-member Pakistan squad, which is currently in Derby attending a training camp.

Pakistan face England in a three-Test series starting on Aug 5 in Manchester.

Haris Rauf tests positive for virus

Meanwhile, fast bowler Haris Rauf has tested positive for the coronavirus which has delayed his departure for England to join the Pakistan team for an indefinite period.

A PCB spokesman on Sunday said that the 26-year-old Haris was tested on Saturday and his report was received on Sunday, which turned out positive.

It is pertinent to mention here that right-armer Haris’ last test was negative and had his Saturday’s test again come negative he would have left for England in the next couple of days.

According to the spokesman, now the PCB medical team would decide after ten days when the pacer’s next test should be conducted, adding till that time the player had been asked to leave the hotel in Lahore to live with his family.

If Haris fails to clear back-to-back Covid-19 tests, which now seems difficult, then Rohail Nazir will remain with the Pakistan squad in England.

Published in Dawn, July 20th, 2020