Rahat Ali replaces injured Junaid Khan in Pakistan's World Cup squad

Rahat Ali

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have named left-arm pacer Rahat Ali as the replacement for the injured Junaid Khan for the upcoming World Cup. The 26-year-old’s name was given approval by PCB chief Shaharyar Khan on the recommendation of chief selector Moin Khan.

Rahat’s last international game for Pakistan was in the home series against New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he featured in the third and final Test of the series which the Black Caps won by an innings and 80 runs. 

His selection in the 15-man World Cup squad comes despite the fact that he has played just the solitary game for his country in coloured clothing. He made his ODI debut for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in 2012, after which hasn't played a single ODI for his nation.

He, however, has played 11 Tests for Pakistan and has picked up 31 wickets at an average of 36.67 in that time. The technical committee of the International Cricket Council (ICC) is yet to approve the change.

Junaid, earlier this week, was ruled out of the quadrennial event after not being able to pass a fitness test, in Lahore, on the thigh injury he sustained. He had already pulled out of Pakistan’s recent ODI series against New Zealand owing to the injury, but Moin had said at the time that his withdrawal from the series was only a precautionary measure and expected him to regain his fitness in time for the World Cup.