Fast bowler Junaid Khan has been ruled out of Pakistan’s series against Australia in the UAE, after injuring his knee during practice. Junaid had twisted his knee during a fielding drill on the eve of the first ODI, and following an MRI scan was advised four to six weeks’ rest. As a result, he did not play in Tuesday’s one-dayer, in which Pakistan stumbled to a 93-run defeat.

The time frame for recovery means he is out of both the remainder of the one-day series against Australia, as well as the Tests that follow. The PCB has named Sohail Tanvir as his replacement for the second and third ODIs, which will be played on October 10 and 12.* The two-Test series begins on October 22.

“He will receive treatment back home,” Moin Khan, Pakistan’s chief selector, told AFP. “It’s another big blow to us as he is one of our best bowlers in one-days and Tests.”

This is not the first time Junaid has been forced out of a series due to knee trouble. He had fractured a patella (the knee cap) during the Twenty20 leg of Pakistan’s series against England in the UAE in February 2012, and was subsequently out of action for four months. Last year, he was out for a month after wounding his thigh while taking a tumble during Pakistan’s tour to South Africa.

Tanvir has not played for Pakistan since the World T20 in April. He played the last of his 58 ODIs in December last year.

Courtesy: ESPN CRICINFO