Mohammad Rizwan and Shoaib Malik miss training before semifinal clash

Rizwan and Malik are described to be coming down with light flu and low fever. The duo’s training was delayed earlier and then canceled altogether.

Pakistan might have suffered a considerable blow Ahead of a crucial clash against Australia. The two sides are all set to meet for the first time in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup after their last encounter in 2009. ESPNcrinckinfo’s sources have confirmed that the two players are described to be coming down with light flu and low fever. The duo’s training was delayed earlier and then canceled altogether.

Malik and Rizwan are two of the most critical players in the Pakistani Squad. Especially Rizwan, who opens with his captain Babar, has made a significant impact in this tournament. He has scored 2 fifties in this campaign and provided a great start to his side in almost every match. Rizwan has scored 214 runs in his 5 innings at an average of 71, which is second only to England’s Jos Buttler.

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The Pakistani team will come into the game against Australia, with some great advantage on their side in the form of Matthew Hayden, their batting consultant. Hayden was the highest run-scorer for Australia in the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup and had an excellent knowledge of the current Australian side. The Australian coach Justin Langer has been Hayden’s former batting partner; hence, Hayden’s expertise will come in handy for Pakistan.

In an ICC press conference, Hayden agreed to be feeling eerie about his position. “It’s a very unusual feeling, I was a warrior for Australian cricket for over two decades, so that does give me the benefit of having wonderful insights not only on these players but also into the culture of cricket in Australia,” Hayden said reports ANI.