Summary Both players' fitness will be assessed today.
MOHALI (AP / AFP) — Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz and batsman Mohammad Hafeez are doubtful starters in a key World Twenty20 match against unbeaten New Zealand on Tuesday.
Left-armer Riaz was hit by a ball on the head during a training session on Monday while Hafeez has pain in the right knee.
The Pakistan Cricket Board says in a medical bulletin that Riaz was hospitalized and later given the all-clear. It adds that his fitness will be assessed today.
Hafeez had complained of knee pain for the last two days and the PCB says "it is likely that he would not be able to take part in the match against the Black Caps."
Pakistan has two points from two matches in Group 2 after it beat Bangladesh before losing to rival India.
Smarting under a six-wicket defeat to arch rivals India, Shahid Afridi‘s men need a victory against the table-topping Kiwis to keep their hopes alive of winning the trophy for a second time.
Pakistan won their opener against Bangladesh comfortably but things have since gone downhill as they unravelled against the Indians on Saturday, sparking an angry backlash from fans back home.
The Black Caps in contrast have been riding high with their horses for courses policy paying rich dividends against India and Australia.
New Zealand are perched on top of Group 2 with four points followed by India and Pakistan on two each from as many games.
Skipper Kane Williamson has won plaudits after he packed his side with unheralded spinners and leaving out tested fast bowlers Trent Boult and Tim Southee in the key opening game against favourites India.
Their strategy worked well against Australia too with rookie spinners Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi combining with recalled paceman Mitchell McClenaghan to wreak havoc in the opposition ranks.
McClenaghan was a surprise replacement for Nathan McCullum, one of the heroes of New Zealand s dramatic victory over India.
Another win will see New Zealand cruise through to the knockout stage of the tournament which would be a commendable feat for a young side.
Afridi, 36, will be under pressure to deliver after taking flak for his tactics against India.
