Malik, Rizwan in doubt against Aussies

Pakistan are in a spot of bother as two of their in-form batters are in doubt ahead of their semi-final clash against Australia at the ICC T20 World Cup today.

Experienced middle-order batter Shoaib Malik and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan are reportedly down with fluish symptoms and have missed the team's training session on Wednesday. However, the duo have tested negative for Covid-19.

It will be a huge blow for the high-flying Babar Azam-led side if Rizwan and Malik miss out of action against the Aussies since Pakistan's dependable opening partnership of Babar and Rizwan and the late flourish from Malik alongside the likes of Asif Ali have had major contributions in most of their victories in the ongoing tournament.  

In case the duo fails to recover in time, former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz are likely to replace Rizwan and Malik, respectively.

The winner of the semi-final, which will be underway at 8 pm (Bangladesh Standard Time) in the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, will be up against New Zealand in the final.