Rahmanullah Gurbaz expected to be fit for England clash after injury scare

The 20-year-old Afghanistan wicketkeeper was struck on the left foot by a delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi during a warm-up clash with Pakistan. A hospital scan revealed no fracture

Rahmanullah Gurbaz is expected to be fit for Afghanistan's T20 World Cup opener against England after suffering an injury scare in a warm-up fixture.

The 20-year-old wicketkeeper was struck on the left foot by an inswinging delivery from Pakistan bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi and was carried off the pitch after receiving medical attention.

He was later pictured wearing a protective boot but a subsequent hospital scan revealed no fracture.

The fixture, held at the Gabba, ended in no result due to rain.

^{Shaheen Shah Afridi (left) struck Gurbaz on the foot with a delivery during a warm-up match [Patrick Hamilton/Getty Images]}

Commenting on Gurbaz's fitness, the Afghanistan Cricket Board said: "Team doctor stated that the results are clear with no bone fracture.

"He will be assessed in the next two days and is expected to be available for our England fixture on Saturday."

Gurbaz has made 32 T20I appearances for Afghanistan after debuting against Zimbabwe in September 2019, scoring 828 runs (five half-centuries) at a strike rate of 138.46.

Afghanistan are due to face England on October 22 in Perth.

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