Pacer Wahab Riaz, who had to leave the field during Pakistan’s opening Champions Trophy clash against India after an injury, has been ruled unfit for the rest of the tournament, official sources in the team said.
However, fast bowler Muhammad Amir, who also left the field after developing a cramp during Sunday’s match, has been declared fit for the remaining matches.
Doctors have advised a week’s rest for Wahab, official sources told DawnNews. The fast bowler is likely to be replaced by Mohammad Abbas.
In the end, one of the most eagerly awaited matches of the tournament proved a damp squib on Sunday as India utterly dominated every aspect of a stop-start, rain-interrupted 124-run victory at Edgbaston.
Pakistan won the toss but nothing else went right for them as they dropped catches, persisted with bowlers who bled runs and folded inside 34 overs with the bat.
Apart from the manner of their surrender, Pakistan are also fretting on the fitness of fast bowlers Amir and Wahab.
Amir bowled 8.1 overs before developing severe cramp and leaving the field, while Wahab, who conceded 87 runs in 8.4 wicketless overs in the most expensive spell of five-plus overs in tournament history, hobbled off after twisting an ankle.
“I don’t know why they’re cramping,” coach Mickey Arthur said Monday. “That’s something that I need to take up with the medical team.”
Pakistan play South Africa in their next Group B match at the same venue on Wednesday.
