Bhatti replaces injured Junaid Khan for New Zealand tour
If Junaid recovers fitness, he will join the World Cup squad, the PCB chief selector said.
LAHORE (Web Desk) - Chairman Pakistan Cricket Board, Shaharyar Khan has on the recommendation of chief selector Moin Khan approved replacing injured Junaid Khan with Bilawal Bhatti for the New Zealand tour.
Inclusion of Bilawal Bhatti for the ICC World Cup 2015 squad shall be contingent on his performance in the four scheduled matches in New Zealand as well as Junaid Khan’s recovery.
“If Junaid recovers fitness, he will join the World Cup squad”, Chief Selector Moin Khan said.
On re-examining Junaid’s condition, physiotherapist Brad Robinson and PCB’s head of Medical & Sports Sciences Dr. Sohail Saleem concurred that he had not recovered sufficiently from the traction injury of the nerve in the posterior right thigh and recommended recuperation at the NCA. Subsequently the left-arm fast bowler was withdrawn from the New Zealand tour.
“After the injury report of Junaid Khan by the team physio (Brad Robbinson) that he will not be able to travel to New Zealand due to his injury and will stay back in Pakistan for immediate rehabilitation under the supervision of Dr Sohail Saleem at the NCA, I discussed the issue with the Chairman and other concerned Board officials.” Moin Khan said.
“The Chairman has considered and approved the request of the skipper Misbah-ul-Haq to include Bilawal Bhatti in the team under the condition that Bilawal Bhatti will play all scheduled matches in New Zealand,” he added.
The Chief Selector further said “the decision for his selection will be considered in accordance with his performance as to whether he may continue or be replaced. It is, however, clarified that if Junaid Khan regains fitness, he will join the World Cup squad as announced on January 7, 2015.”
