BENGALURU: Pakistan's left-handed opener Imam-ul-Haq felt discomfort in his neck and skipped the Green Shirts' training session on Friday as the team prepare to take on New Zealand in a must-win encounter on November 4 in Bengaluru.
The extent of Imam's pain is normal but the playing XI of Pakistan will be decided before the match tomorrow after carefully analysing all the players.
On the other hand, Shadab Khan, who had a concussion during Pakistan's nail-biter against South Africa, started training again after missing the encounter against Bangladesh in Kolkata.
However, the team's medical panel has not made any decision on the all-rounder's participation in Saturday's match and he will, once again, be assessed by the panel tomorrow morning.
Other than Shadab and Imam, all of Pakistan's players are fit to participate in the important match.
It is worth mentioning that New Zealand face Pakistan in a crucial match amid injuries to the main players.
Five of their playing XI players — Kane Williamson, Matt Henry, Lockie Ferguson, Mark Chapman and James Neesham — are either out or remain a doubt for the game against Pakistan.
Williamson — who fractured his thumb against Bangladesh in Pune —will have to undergo a fitness test before the Black Caps can make a decision on his participation in a significant match.
Meanwhile, Henry was ruled out of the tournament following a torn hamstring and he has now been replaced by Kyle Jamieson, who may feature against the Men in Green.
A statement from NZC confirmed that Henry sustained the injury during Wednesday’s match against South Africa in Pune, with an MRI scan confirming he has a grade two lower tear, which will require two to four weeks to recover from.
"Jamieson, who has played 13 ODIs for the Blackcaps, was approved by the Event Technical Committee after Henry was ruled out due to a right hamstring injury sustained during Wednesday's loss to South Africa in Pune," the ICC said.
According to New Zealand Cricket, other injured players, including pacer Lockie Ferguson, all-rounder James Neesham and batter Mark Chapman, will also have to pass fitness tests before the Pakistan match.
Pakistan’s remaining ICC World Cup 2023 matches
November 4 - vs New Zealand Bengaluru (Day match)
November 11 - vs England in Kolkata
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.