Abid cleared from concussion after getting blow on helmet

Pakistan opening batsman Abid Ali has been cleared from concussion after getting a blow on the helmet while fielding at forward short-leg on day three of the intra-squad match on Sunday afternoon.

Abid has shown no signs of concussion but has undergone a precautionary CT scan which also has returned normal.

Pakistani opener, who has also been rested from the remainder of the match, was hit near the logo of the helmet by a Haider Ali flick off Mohammad Abbas.

Pakistan team doctor, Dr Sohail Saleem, said: “Abid is absolutely fine and will be available to resume training on Wednesday following Tuesday’s rest day. He underwent a precautionary CT scan which has also returned normal.”

However, Pakistan’s T20 specialist Khushdil Shah has been ruled out for up to three weeks after suffering a fracture in his left thumb while batting during a training session on Saturday.

Khushdil, not playing in the ongoing intra-squad game, won't be available for the second four-day practice match, which also takes place in the Midlands town of Derby from July 24-27.

“As the nail is intact and there is no injury to nail bed, the orthopaedic surgeon, team physician and team physiotherapist expect Khushdil to resume physical training by the end of the next week,” Pakistan’s cricket board said that.

Pakistan are set to face England in a three-Test series that begins at Old Trafford on August 5 before concluding with two matches at south coast county Hampshire´s Ageas Bowl headquarters. They return to Old Trafford for three T20 internationals with England at the Manchester ground from August 28 to September 1.

England are currently playing the West Indies in the ongoing second Test at Old Trafford as part of a three-match series that marks the return of international cricket from the coronavirus lockdown.