Haris Sohail Ruled Out Of England ODI Series Due To Hamstring Injury
Published - 08 Jul 2021, 01:16 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:49 AM
Middle-order Pakistan batsman Haris Sohail has been ruled out of the 3-match ODI series against England starting July 8, Thursday, in Cardiff. The left-hander picked up a hamstring injury last week during a training session in Derby.
An MRI scan was conducted on Wednesday. It has revealed a Grade 3 tear that will keep the batsman out for about a month, including the rehabilitation program at the National High-Performance Centre in Lahore after he will return back to Pakistan.
Haris Sohail was making a comeback into Pakistan’s ODI side having last played a 50-over international in October last year.
“I was keenly looking forward to the ODIs as part of my objective to contribute in the side’s success and also cement my position in the side. In this background, I am disappointed that my tour has been cut-short, but I will return to Lahore and undergo a rehabilitation programme so that I can fully recover for the 2021-22 season,” Haris Sohail said.
The 32-year-old recently was excluded from the list of central contract awardees for 2021-22. He would have hoped for making a statement in the England series, however, Haris Sohail’s dream of international return was cut short before it began.
He was one of the shining stars for Pakistan in the 2019 World Cup, scoring 198 runs in 5 games with the help of a couple of fifties. However, he managed to feature in just 3 ODIs after that, and that despite notching up two fifties in those 3 innings; his fitness has been a major concern during this period.
Didn’t think about calling off tour – Babar Azam
Ahead of the first ODI, Pakistan captain Babar Azam has given his support to the ECB by stating that he and his team have trust in the safety the home board has assured to the PCB after 7 people – three England players and four support staff members – tested positive for the covid-19 virus.
Hence, the ECB had to isolate the entire original squad to take on Pakistan and name a completely new 18-man squad, which consists of 9 uncapped players.
Pakistan have travelled a lot in pandemic times, and the skipper made sure to applaud his players for the strength they have shown.
“No, we didn’t think about it (calling the tour off), it didn’t come to our minds at any time. The PCB and ECB have assured us that they will take care of the safety and health of all the squad members.
“We must understand that these are unprecedented times of Covid-19. I want to acknowledge my players who have spent the last 18 months in and out of bio-secure bubbles and we have prepared in that. For now we are focusing on cricket and tomorrow’s game,” Babar Azam said.
