Junaid Khan ruled out of New Zealand tour due to injury

Pakistan sustained a severe blow ahead of their tour to New Zealand as Junaid Khan has been ruled out from the series due to a stress fracture in his right foot.

The left-arm pacer sustained an injury during Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) playing for Khulna Titans when a ball hit onto his foot.

The recent assessment confirmed an unhealed stress fracture for which the medical panel, headed by Dr. Sohail Saleem, advised him a four-week rest.

Earlier, Pakistan’s new pace sensation, Usman Khan Shinwari also suffered a stress fracture on his back that is keeping him away from action from the last month.

As the two premier pacers are out of Pakistan team, it can pave way for a comeback for Sohail Khan or Mohammad Irfan in the national squad.

The squad is expected to be announced sometime later this week by the national selection committee headed by Inzamam Ul Haq.

Pakistan will play a five-match ODI series in New Zealand from January 6 followed by a three-match T20 series that is to be played from January 22 to 28.

Junaid Khan played a crucial role in making Pakistan Champions Trophy 2017 winner in England earlier this year.