Sohaib Maqsood and Ahmed Shehzad sidelined for few more weeks

Sohaib Maqsood

Middle-order batsman Sohaib Maqsood will be unable to take part in the ODI series against New Zealand as he still recovers from a wrist fracture. Maqsood suffered the injury while playing for Pakistan A against United Arab Emirates in October.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said that the 27-year-old will take some time before he can be fit for international cricket again.

"Sohaib Maqsood has been advised three weeks of relative rest after diagnostic investigations confirmed the initial suspicion of wrist bone fracture and a small tear in one of the ligaments of wrist. Sohaib injured his wrist while playing for Pakistan 'A' against UAE last month. This injury will put him out of contention for selection in the T20I and ODI series against New Zealand," the board said.

The PCB also added that Ahmed Shehzad has been ruled out of action for six weeks due to the skull fracture that he suffered during the first Test against New Zealand at Abu Dhabi.

"Presently he has mild tenderness over the fracture site. Also his mouth opening has improved considerably from the previously limited state. He does not have any limitation of lateral excursion movement of lower jaw, which is expected following this injury. On inspection, there is no obvious asymmetry although there is mild swelling.

"It has been decided that he will be treated conservatively for this injury as surgery is required only for cosmetic reasons in such cases. A review has been planned on Monday. He has been advised to avoid contact sports for a period of six weeks but he can start his physical workout from next week," the PCB further said.