KARACHI: Pakistan’s Test fast bowler Junaid Khan has suffered another setback after being diagnosed with a “grade-3 osteochondral” fracture in his knee which will keep him sidelined from cricket for more time.

Left-armer Junaid had already been ruled out of the ongoing series against Australia after twisting his knee during a practice session in Sharjah before the three-match ODI series.

“A recently-performed MRI in a local hospital revealed a grade-3 osteochondral fracture along the anterior surface of the medial femoral condyle with underlying bone edema,” Dr Sohail Saleem, General Manager, sports medicine, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Tuesday.

“Junaid is undergoing a conservative management plan for his injury. Apart from consultation with a local orthopaedic surgeon in Pakistan, Junaid’s reports are also being seen by orthopedic surgeons abroad. His final course of action will be decided in a couple of days,” he added.

While Pakistan’s other injured seamer, Wahab Riaz, has started to recover from a cartilage injury, it is uncertain if he will make the squad for the upcoming series against New Zealand in the UAE.

Junaid and Wahab have both been undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy under the supervision of Dr Sohail.

Published in Dawn, October 29th , 2014