Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has some thoughts on the illness of all-rounder Shoaib Malik and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan ahead of the T20 World Cup semi-final between Australia and Pakistan today (Thursday).
In a video message posted on his Instagram and Twitter accounts, Akhtar said that disturbing news was being received of Shoaib Malik and Rizwan falling victim to the flu.
And the big one. PAKISTAN vs AUSTRALIA.
— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) November 10, 2021
kamar kas lain boys, tagray ho jaayen @iMRizwanPak & @realshoaibmalik. Zor lagana hai. You'll be fine InshAllah.
Full video: https://t.co/w7RYbeixeg pic.twitter.com/7pgqaZBHZy
When key players fall ill, Akhtar advised, the management should give injections and drips. "I am sure they [Shoaib Malik and Mohammad Rizwan] will be able to play well after that and the flu will not stop them," the former fast bowler said.
The former fast bowler hoped that both players were resting, steaming and taking medicine to make a full recovery.
Winning the [T20] World Cup will work better to raise the morale of our nation rather than improving our cricket because a World Cup win will inject real enthusiasm into the nation, Akhtar said.
Rizwan and Malik’s participation in today’s semi-final became doubtful after the in-form batters caught the flu.
Their COVID-19 tests, however, returned negative but the doctors had advised them to rest, which is why they didn’t attend the last practice session and stayed at the hotel.