**Pakistan’s left-arm pacer Junaid Khan sustained a groin injury during a practice session on Thursday, making his participation in the upcoming World Cup doubtful, Express Newsreported.
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The fast bowler reportedly slipped and fell during practice at the national cricket camp. The reports, however, could not be independently verified by The Express Tribune.
The World Cup 2015 is due to kickoff in New Zealand and Australia on February 14.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had announced the 15-man World Cup squad on January 7, with Misbah-ul Haq leading the national side for the first time in the World Cup.
The team kit for the tournament was unveiled just a day ago, in a gala ceremony. The new kit has a light green color, and the crescent and star of the previous World Cup kit (2011) has been removed and straight horizontal lines can be seen on the front.
It has a PCB logo on the left upper side while the ICC cricket World Cup 2015 logo is placed on the right upper side.
KARACHI – Pakistan pace bowler Junaid Khan MRI test is normal and he will heading to New Zealand as planned, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Friday evening.
“Post MRI Scan after Junaid Khan’s injury during camp training on Thursday (January 15) around noon, following is the report from PCB’s General Manager, Dr Sohail Saleem Sports Medicine based here at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), it said in statement.
Junaid Khan was presented to us with pain in his right thigh and left elbow after he had a fall while bowling in the nets on Thursday. Pain in the right thigh was non-radiating and was confined to an area of 4x4 centimeters just below the hip. There was no discoloration or change in the temperature in the said area.
On testing damage to the hamstrings was suspected. In order to reach correct prognosis, he was put through MRI Scan today which came out to be normal. “We have put him on local conservative management. He has already been feeling better. We expect him to travel to New Zealand as planned without any problem,” PCB statement concluded.
Re: Bowler Junaid Khan doubtful for World Cup 2015 after sustaining injury
I don’t know what qualities they have seen in Bilawal except he plays under captaincy of Misbah in First Class Cricket. I really wish to see Sarfraz Ahmad as captain of Pakistan Team for the better future of Pakistani cricket team.
Bilawal Bhatti replaces him for the series against Black Caps****LAHORE–January 20, 2015: Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board, Shaharyar M. Khan has on the recommendation of chief selector Moin Khan approved replacing injured Junaid Khan with Bilawal Bhatti for the New Zealand tour.The inclusion of Bilawal Bhatti for the ICC World Cup 2015 squad shall be contingent on his performance in the four scheduled matches in New Zealand as well as Junaid Khan’s recovery.“If Junaid recovers fitness, he will join the World Cup squad”, said Moin Khan.On reexamining Junaid’s condition, Team Pakistan physiotherapist Brad Robinson and PCB’s head of Medical & Sports Sciences Dr. Sohail Saleem concurred that he had not recovered sufficiently from the traction injury of the nerve in the posterior right thigh and recommended recuperation at the NCA. Subsequently the left-arm fast bowler was withdrawn from the New Zealand tour.Quotes: Chief Selector Moin Khan“After the injury report of Junaid Khan by the team physio [Brad Robbinson] that he will not be able to travel to New Zealand due to his injury and will stay back in Pakistan for immediate rehabilitation under the supervision of Dr Sohail Saleem at the NCA, I discussed the issue with the Chairman and other concerned Board officials. “The Chairman has considered and approved the request of the skipper Misbah-ul-Haq to include Bilawal Bhatti in the team under the condition that Bilawal Bhatti will play all scheduled matches in New Zealand. “The decision for his selection will be considered in accordance with his performance as to whether he may continue or be replaced. It is, however, clarified that if Junaid Khan regains fitness, he will join the World Cup squad as announced on January 7, 2015.”
