LAHORE - Pakistan batsman Sohaib Maqsood has been ruled out of contention for the limited-overs series against New Zealand due to a wrist fracture he suffered while playing for Pakistan A last month. The PCB said Saturday Maqsood had suffered a wrist bone fracture and a small tear in one of the ligaments of the wrist and has been advised three weeks of rest.
“Sohaib Maqsood has been advised three weeks of relative rest after diagnostic investigations confirmed the initial suspicion of wrist bone fracture and a small tear in one of the ligaments of wrist,” the PCB said in a press release. “Sohaib injured his wrist while playing for Pakistan ‘A’ against UAE last month. This injury will put him out of contention for selection in the T20I and ODI series against New Zealand.”
However, Pakistan received some good news with opener Ahmed Shehzad set to return for the limited over series against New Zealand. Shehzad, 22, suffered a minor skull fracture during the first Test against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi on November 10 after being hit by a bouncer from seamer Corey Anderson. Shehzad made a career-best 176 in the match. He was ruled out of the remaining two Tests but Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said he would be fit for the two Twenty20 matches and five one-day internationals which follow the Tests next month.
“Presently he has mild tenderness over the fracture site. Also his mouth opening has improved considerably from the previously limited state,” the PCB said. “He does not have any limitation of lateral excursion movement of lower jaw, which is expected following this injury. On inspection, there is no obvious asymmetry although there is mild swelling. It has been decided that he will be treated conservatively for this injury as surgery is required only for cosmetic reasons in such cases. A review has been planned on Monday. He has been advised to avoid contact sports for a period of six weeks but he can start his physical workout from next week.”
The PCB also said fast bowler Wahab Riaz had made a complete recovery while Junaid Khan was still on the mend. Both quicks had suffered knee injuries. Wahab bowled 68 overs in two Quaid-e-Azam league games for National Bank and will appear for a fitness test at the National Cricket Academy next week, before being considered for selection. Junaid, meanwhile, will undergo an MRI review next week. M Hafeez, who was ruled out of the second Test due to a hamstring injury, is also recovering and had spent a few days at the National Cricket Academy on his rehabilitation. Hafeez had been reported for a suspect action after the Abu Dhabi Test and will have his action tested in Loughborough next week. The first Twenty20s against New Zealand will be played in Dubai on December 4.