Injury forces http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Australia-c746 - Cricket News Update
Pakistan will be without the services of their star all-rounder, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Shahid-Ali-Khan-c89356 Afridi, who has been ruled out on the eve of the second One Day International (ODI) against Australia, due to a back injury.
Afridi scored a first ball duck and took 1 for 37 during the first ODI at Sharjah. Talking to ESPNcricinfo, Pakistan’s team manager, Naveed Akram Cheema, said that the star player suffered the set back during a practice ahead of the Abu Dhabi match.
"He picked up a back strain yesterday night [Thursday] during the practice session,” told Cheema.
While the 32-year-old is expected to recover for the third ODI, which will be played on September 3, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Mohammad-Junaid-Khan-c77037 appear
to be the likely replacements.
"So far, he isn't available for today's game as he has been advised indefinite rest by the doctor. I can't say much about the next game but if he recovers in time, he will definitely be in the side."
Despite the injury, concerns over his place in the ODI team have been up for debate, owing to his indifferent showings in the current year with both, bat and ball.
In 15 ODIs since January 2012, the swashbuckling all-rounder has averaged 15.90 with the bat and has taken just 15 wickets at a costly average of 39.00. In June, following a disappointing ODI series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sri-Lanka-c758 (where in 5 matches he averaged just
9.33 with the bat and took 3 wickets at 48.66), the veteran player said that he’s considering retirement from the ODIs.
The team manager however, feels that the Green Shirts have enough talent in the squad to replace the right-handed batsman.
“We have ample options to replace him but I can't reveal the team's plan. It will be revealed at the toss," Cheema concluded.
The Asian Giants had a dismal showing in the first ODI, where they were outdone by a resolute Aussie contingent. The team now needs a win in the upcoming game in order to keep the series alive.
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