Injuries force PCB to delay squad announcement

News

Cricket365
October 14, 2014

Pakistan have delayed announcing their squad for the Test series against Australia in the UAE until after the tour match this week, saying they need more time to let injured players recover.

Pakistan were hit with major injury blows during the ODI series, which the Aussies won three-nil. Aside from Saeed Ajmal being banned, they also suffered the losses of Mohammad Hafeez, Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz, decimating their bowling attack.

Chief selector Moin Khan said on Monday, when the squad should have been released: "The delay was forced on us owing to injuries to a bunch of frontline players.

"With a view to field the best possible team, the selectors would like to wait for an update on their fitness as well as on the form of the players featuring in the 'A' game against Australia."

They then explained that while Hafeez looked like he'd be good to go, pacemen Junaid and Wahab were less promising, with both suffering knee injuries during the ODI series and neither looking promising.

General Manager of Sports Medicine for PCB, Sohail Saleem explained: "There was neither any ooze nor any significant pain, so he [Hafeez] was advised to start batting from Monday with the help of support.

"On examination, the wound required suturing while the underlying musculature appeared intact. He was advised to protect his hand while fielding."

He added of Junaid's knee injury: "On October 7, scan results indicated a tear of the posterior horn of the medial meniscus with the presence of a mild joint effusion. He was advised rest as a part of conservative management.

"He will be examined by me and an orthopedic surgeon on October 14 before we could take a decision on conservative or surgical management of his injury."

Of Wahab, who can walk but not bowl much, Saleem said: "Wahab's condition will be ascertained in detail on his arrival shortly from the UAE.

"He will undergo a rehab period and a progressive return to play will be implemented at the NCA. In this regard, we will pursue a conservative approach to injury management/ rehab programme."