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Cricket World Cup: Pakistan star in doubt after dentist mishap

Pakistan bowler Shadab Khan bowls on South African batsman Reeza Hendricks (not in picture) (Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA / AFP)
Pakistan bowler Shadab Khan bowls on South African batsman Reeza Hendricks (not in picture) (Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA / AFP)

Rising Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan is in doubt for the upcoming World Cup after contracting hepatitis from a dentist's unsterilised instruments.

Blood tests revealed the 20-year-old had contracted the disease, ruling him out of Pakistan's tour of England.

After a checkup with a UK-based doctor, the Pakistan Cricket Board issued a statement with an update on Shadab's condition.

"Shadab had a check up with Dr Patrick Kennedy, a world renowned gastroenterologist and hepatologist who specialises in liver disease in elite sportsmen and was put on medication,” the PCB statement read.

The young cricketer will have further blood tests in two weeks in Lahore, which will likely determine his availability for the World Cup, the PCB added.

The talented spinner was included in Pakistan's 15-man squad for the World Cup, and has been a regular feature of the national team since his debut in 2017.

In his 34 ODIs, Shadab has bagged 47 wickets.

Chappelli's puzzling call

Ian Chappell says he would prefer David Warner to captain the Australian Test team over Steve Smith.

The former Test captain, 75, joined prominent cricket writers Geoff Lemon and Adam Collins on their podcast The Final Word.

Reflecting on the aftermath of one of the most torrid periods in Australian cricketing history, Chappell said Warner’s aggressive nature made him an ideal candidate to become captain.

“Anybody who says Warner’s too difficult — now I’m not in the dressing room, so I don’t know — but the bit I’ve had to do with him, I think he would have been a better captain than Steve Smith because he’s got a very good and aggressive understanding of cricket,” Chappell said.

“I’ve spoken to him about batting and he’s got a terrific understanding of batting. When he did some commentary with Channel 9, I had a chance to talk to him off-air.

“He had a terrific understanding of the game.”

Yahoo Sports Australia

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