Sarfaraz confirms Shadab’s World Cup fitness

Speaking at the toss before the third ODI between England and Pakistan at Bristol, he told Sky Sports: “We have good news about Shadab. He will be fit for the World Cup and we are excited to have him back.”

Shadab was named in Pakistan’s preliminary 15-man squad, but his World Cup availability came into question when he was ruled out of the current series by a viral infection, and prescribed rest at home.

As Pakistan’s first-choice leg-spinner, his return will come as a boost. He has taken 47 wickets in 34 ODIs at an economy rate of 4.80, and has scored three half-centuries, averaging a shade under 30 with the bat.