Karachi: Pakistan have lost two of their young batsman, Ahmed Shehzad and Sohaib Maqsood, for the one-day series against New Zealand due to fitness issues.
The Pakistan Cricket Board said on Saturday that Shehzad, who suffered a fracture of his right cheek bone during the first Test against New Zealand, has been advised rest from all contact sports for the next six weeks.
"Ahmed Shehzad was examined by Prof. Abid Ashar, Maxillofacial surgeon in Lahore. 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," a board statement said.
At the same time the board said that 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.
"Sohaib injured his wrist while playing for Pakistan 'A' against the UAE last month. This injury will put him out of contention for selection in the T20I and ODI series against New Zealand," the statement said.
But there was also some good news for the Pakistan team as left arm pacer, Wahab Riaz, has been declared fit from his knee injury and has to appear in one final fitness test to be considered for selection.
The statement also said that allrounder Muhammad Hafeez is on a recovery curve from his grade one hamstring injury which he sustained during the first Test.
It further said that Hafeez after two days of rehabilitation at the NCA had proceeded for Loughborough, UK on Saturday for getting officially tested on suspected illegal bowling action.
Injured left arm pacer, Junaid Khan who also suffered a knee injury during the one-day series against Australia, will undergo his MRI review and consultation with an orthopedic surgeon during the next week, the statement added.
