KARACHI: Pakistan were forced to draft in left-armer Junaid Khan on Sunday in their one-day squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh after fellow fast bowler Sohail Khan was ruled out of the tour.

The 31-year-old Sohail was diagnosed with back injury during Saturday’s final day of a short training camp in Lahore after breaking down during a practice match.

According to a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) media release, Sohail has been advised rest for at least three weeks. “Sohail suffered a back injury at the training camp, precisely reporting pain during the practice match. After assessing the MRI scan report he has been advised rest for two to three weeks,” the release said.

Chairman of selectors Haroon Rasheed, who is in Karachi for the Patron’s Trophy final between Omar Associates and Karachi Port Trust, told Dawn that since Junaid was already part of the Twenty20 side as well as the Test squad, it was a straightforward decision to include the 24-year-old in the team for the three One-day Interna­tionals in Dhaka.

“Junaid looked in fine fettle during the practice matches [in the camp] and we think it is the appropriate opportunity to recall him. Moreover, he is already part of the T20 and Test squads and his inclusion is a natural progression from the selectors’ perspective,” Haroon said.

Sohail was one of the few success stories of the recent World Cup with 12 wickets, including career-best figures of 5-55 at the Adelaide Oval against India in Pakistan’s opening fixture of the mega event.

Haroon said Sohail’s participation in the two-match Test series will depend on the recovery process.

“Obviously, it would be premature to say anything regarding his availability for the Test matches or for that matter the extent of his injury. Sohail will require two to three weeks [to recover] and it will definitely depend on the rehabilitation process he has to go through before a clear picture emerges,” the chief selector commented.

“The medical staff will monitor Sohail until he makes complete recovery. If there is no chance of his playing [in the Test series] then we would be looking at other options if a replacement is needed by the team management.”

The 25-year-old Junaid, who missed the World Cup because of a thigh injury, has taken 75 wickets in 48 One-day Internationals while playing the last game of this format against Sri Lanka in Hambantota last August.

Earlier batsman Sohaib Maqsood was ruled out of the Bangladesh one-day series beca­use of a fractured arm and replaced by uncapped all-rounder Saad Nasim, who has played three T20 Internationals.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan one-day squad, led by Azhar Ali, arrived in the city from Lahore on Sunday evening before flying off to Dhaka in the early hours of Monday.

The first of three day/night One-day Internationals at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka takes place on Friday with the remaining games scheduled for April 19 and 22, respectively.

The one-off Twenty20 International will also be played in Dhaka on April 24 before Bangladesh and Pakistan meet in the first Test at the Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium in Khulna from April 28. The final Test is slated to begin in Dhaka from May 6.

Published in Dawn, April 13th, 2015

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