Junaid suffers injury setback

Pakistan fast bowler Junaid Khan has been dealt another setback after being diagnosed with a "Grade-3 osteochondral" fracture in his knee which will keep him sidelined from cricket for a while. 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.

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 Saleem, general manager, sports medicine, PCB.

"A recently-performed MRI in a local hospital in Lahore revealed a Grade-3 osteochondral fracture along the anterior surface of the medial femoral condyle with underlying bone edema," Dr. Saleem said of Junaid's injury. "Junaid Khan is undergoing a conservative management plan for his injury. Apart from consultation with a local orthopedic surgeon in Pakistan, Junaid's reports are also being seen by orthopedic surgeons abroad. His final course of action will be decided in couple of days."

Wahab sustained his injury while bowling in the second ODI against Australia, and was subsequently pulled out of the match. He was then sent back home for instant medical attention, where he was informed that he had "significant osteochondral defects in the lateral tibial condyle", as well as damage to the cartilage under the knee cap. There was also suspicion of a tear to the anterior horn of the outer knee cartilage.

"After examination and investigation that lasted four days from October 15 to 19, with the decision in favour of conservative management, Wahab's rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy commenced on October 20," Saleem said. "His daily routine consists of knee-specific exercises, generalised fitness training, pool work-outs, physiotherapy sessions, bowling and batting sessions. He did start batting last week on Friday and by the end of Monday's proceedings, he must have completed three batting sessions under supervision of Mohtashim Rasheed.

"On Monday, he did his first shadow-bowling session with Mohammad Akram and bowled 24 pain-free balls. His work on the physio's table consists of manual therapy techniques to achieve the desired fitness results before the beginning of the New Zealand series. I am pretty much satisfied with the progress he is making."

Pakistan have already named their squad for the second Test against Australia in Abu Dhabi, opting for Rahat Ali, Mohammad Talha and Ehsan Adil in place of their two injured quicks.