Summary Junaid had suffered a knee injury in October and was sidelined for two months.
LAHORE (Dunya News/AFP) - Pakistan s World Cup hopes were dealt a major blow Monday with frontline paceman Junaid Khan ruled out of the event after failing to pass a fitness test following a leg injury.
The 25-year-old left-armer, considered one of the country s most promising prospects in recent years, sustained a thigh injury in training last month that forced him out of the team s current tour of New Zealand.
"Junaid appeared in a fitness test and was not found fit enough to play the World Cup," a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesman said.
His absence means Pakistan s attack will be led by the relatively inexperienced Mohammad Irfan, following the losses of veteran paceman Umar Gul to a knee injury and ace spinner Saeed Ajmal, who is serving a suspension for chucking.
All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez meanwhile faces a race against time to get his action cleared.
He was suspended in November last year and will participate in a reassessment test on February 6.
Junaid was included in the 15-man squad last month but he will now likely be replaced with another seam bowler Bilawal Bhatti, a newcomer to international cricket.
Pakistan plays the second and final one-day against New Zealand on Tuesday before leaving for Australia where they play their first World Cup game against defending champions India in Adelaide on February 15.
Junaid had suffered a knee injury in October and was sidelined for two months.
He returned to fields in the domestic Pentangular one-day Cup and performed well enough to get selected for the World Cup.
Junaid said he was saddened but wished his colleagues well.
"It s a heartbreak for me," said Junaid. "I couldn t pass the fitness test and am not able to play the World Cup. All my prayers are with the team."
Pakistan s bowling attack is now set to be the least experienced among major teams in the tournament, with four rookies if Bhatti is picked.
