LONDON, June 13: The England and Wales Cricket Board Friday announced that next week’s NatWest Challenge matches between England and Pakistan are sold out.
England are due to play three One-Day Internationals against Pakistan next week; at Old Trafford under lights on Tuesday, the AMP Oval on Friday and Lord’s on Sunday week.
ECB Marketing Manager, Stuart Robertson, said: “The NatWest Challenge is a new competition and we are delighted that it has generated such strong demand for tickets from the public. With capacity crowds at each venue, it promises to be an exciting addition to the international cricket calendar.”
Pakistan’s opening batsman, Faisal Athar, has been ruled out of action for at least 10 days after sustaining an injury during Pakistan’s 62-run victory against English cricket county Northamptonshire on Wednesday.
Faisal required seven stitches on the fourth finger of his left hand after receiving a deep cut from the spikes in Bilal Asad’s shoes.
As Faisal dived to stop the ball crossing the mid-on boundary, Bilal, who was following close behind, jumped to avoid him and accidentally landed on his hand.
Faisal is the only injury concern ahead of Tuesday’s first match against England at Old Trafford, although Danish Kaneria has a slight strain in his left hamstring. It hasn’t prevented him from training, however, and he hopes to be available for selection.
New bowling star Richard Johnson has been ruled out of England’s three one-day internationals against Pakistan next week because of a knee injury.
The Somerset seam bowler took 6-33 in the second Test against Zimbabwe — the best first innings figures for England in a debut in 26 years — as Nasser Hussain’s team wrapped up the series 2-0 with two innings victories.
But he was ruled out of the games against Pakistan at Old Trafford, the Oval and Lord’s after he was able to play just a limited part in training on Friday. After consultation with England medical team he was pulled out of the squad and Saturday’s warmup game against Wales and replaced by James Kirtley of Sussex.
“Richard’s knee is swollen and sore and we have ruled him out of all cricket for the next week,” said England’s chief medical officer, Peter Gregory. “But we are hopeful he will be ready to return for the NatWest Series (against South Africa and Zimbabwe).”—PPI/AP