Pakistan fast bowler Naseem Shah was admitted to a private hospital in Lahore after he complained of a high fever late on Tuesday, March 27. He has now been found infected with pneumonia and is still hospitalized. In such a situation, it is doubtful for him to play in the remaining matches of the ongoing seven-match T20 series against England. This is a big blow for Pakistan.

"A decision on Naseem Shah's further participation in the (England) series will be taken after reviewing his medical report," the PCB said in a statement. The sixth of the series is to be played on 30 September and the last match on 2 October. In such a situation, it is difficult for him to recover from pneumonia in three days. Even if they recover, they will still need time to train.

Not only this, after the series finale against England on 2 October, the Pakistan team will travel to New Zealand to play in a T20I tri-series the next day, in which the Bangladesh team will also play. It is starting from October 7 and will run till October 14. After this tri-series, Pakistan's team will leave for Australia for the T20 World Cup.

The Pakistan team's campaign will begin on 23 October against India in Melbourne. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is hopeful that Naseem, who performed well as a replacement for the injured Shaheen Afridi during the recently concluded Asia Cup, will recover in time to play in the multi-team event.