Shehzad likely to be fit for Zimbabwe clash

Pakistan opener Ahmed Shehzad is likely to recover in time from a minor ankle injury to take the field against Zimbabwe on March 1. A PCB release said that Shehzad had "complained of acute pain in the region of the left Achilles' tendon during a fielding training session" on Thursday.

However, Brad Robinson, the team physiotherapist, confirmed that scans showed no serious damage. "Ahmed had an MRI in Brisbane this morning. The results showed a slight retrocalcaneal bursitis (inflammed bursa) between the Achilles' tendon and the calcaneus (heel bone). The Achilles' tendon was intact and undamaged. As the tendon is not involved I am confident he will be available to play against Zimbabwe on the March 1," Robinson said.

"Ahmed is receiving the appropriate treatment involving regular ice therapy, topical and oral anti-inflammatory medication and a heel-raise to offload the area. An ultrasound guided injection is not advised at this stage as he would require a four-day rest period following such an infiltration. He will be closely monitored over the next week"

Shehzad has had an ordinary outing so far, with just 48 runs from two matches, but his availability will nonetheless come as a boost to a Pakistan side struggling for confidence and currently rooted to the bottom of Pool B.