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Mohammad Hafeez doubtful for T20 World Cup after contracting dengue

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Last updated on 29 Sep 2021 | 12:10 PM
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Mohammad Hafeez doubtful for T20 World Cup after contracting dengue

Pakistan are expected to leave for the UAE on October 14

Pakistan all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has been ruled out of the ongoing National T20 Championship after contracting dengue and is also doubtful for the T20 World Cup. Hafeez is now undergoing treatment in his home in Lahore and only time will tell if he will be able to recover in time for the mega event. 

Pakistan take on arch-rivals India in their first match of the tournament on October 24 in Dubai. "It depends on the severity of the dengue virus that one has contracted but yes it is an illness that leaves one pretty weak and it takes around a month to regenerate platelets and make a full recovery," a local doctor said.

It is understood that PCB's medical panel is keeping in touch with Hafeez and is also keeping a close eye on his treatment and recovery. Pakistan are expected to leave for the T20 World Cup in the UAE on October 14. 

Initially Hafeez had complained of food poisoning when he was staying at the team hotel in Rawalpindi for the first leg of the National championship but when his condition didn't improve he went to Lahore where he was diagnosed to have contracted dengue.

Hafeez is one of Pakistan's most senior players after Shoaib Malik having appeared in 55 Tests, 218 ODIs and 113 T20 internationals. His recent form has not been good but he was seen as an automatic selection for the World Cup after scoring a heap of runs in late 2019 and 2020 in T20 internationals as the former captain has now retired from Tests and ODIs.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has set October 10 as the deadline for the World Cup participating nations to make changes in their squads announced earlier this month. Teams are also allowed to have travelling reserves with them in the tournament at their own expenses as the ICC is footing the bill for only 15 players and eight officials for each team.

Hafeez recently was in disagreement with the PCB after he was asked to prematurely terminate his contract with the Guyana franchise and return home early from the Caribbean Premier League.

The former captain was not amused with the situation as he was given a deadline until September 12 to return to Lahore or risk being dropped for the World Cup. The board had earlier given NOCs to all players to play in the CPL and report back for the home series against New Zealand by September 17.

(With inputs from PTI)

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