Visa delay leaves Pakistan without team doctor

Pakistan Cricket Team. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

Pakistan men’s cricket team in Australia and the under-19 team in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are without doctors and managers. The team’s official doctor Sohail Saleem is yet to join the team and his delay of arrival is due to visa and passport issues.

Meanwhile, Shoaib Muhammad, former Pakistan Test batter and manager of the junior team, has also been unable to travel with the squad to UAE. The under-19 team are in the Arab country to take part in the Asia Cup.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board is still trying to get a visa for Dr Saleem and as soon as it comes he will join the side in Australia in time for the first Test in Perth,” a source in the PCB said as quoted by The Economic Times.

“Shoaib had some expired passport issues which the board is sorting out and hopefully he will also soon reach UAE to take charge,” the source said.

Moreover, off-spinner Sajid Khan who was named as a replacement for injured Pakistan wrist-spinner Abrar Ahmed also could not travel to Australia due to visa issues. Ahmed is likely to miss the first Test match between Pakistan and Australia starting on December 14  in Perth due to an injury in his right leg.

Abrar suffered pain in his foot during a four-day match against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra where he bowled 27 overs. He is currently undergoing treatment under the Pakistan cricket team’s medical team and his inclusion in the XI for the opening Test match will be decided after an MRI scan. As per several media reports, his participation in the second Test in Melbourne is also uncertain.

Sajid was named as Ahmed’s replacement after a unanimous decision by the Pakistan national team’s selection committee and the team management. He will depart for Australia once his travel documents are complete. He has taken a total of 22 wickets in seven Tests thus far.