Pakistan suffer Junaid injury blow

Fast bowler ruled out of entire Australia series due to knee trouble

DUBAI: Pakistan's ongoing series against Australia is fast turning into a rueful nightmare both on and off the field.

After two humiliating defeats in the one-off T20 and the first ODI, the hosts have to now deal with the absence of fast bowler Junaid Khan.

Junaid's MRI scans on his troublesome knee revealed cartilage tear-ruling him out of the remainder of the ongoing tour (both ODIs and Tests).

An official close to the matter told The Express Tribune about Junaid's unavailability. "The MRI scan revealed a cartilage tear in his knee-ruling him out of the series."

Junaid has been Pakistan's first choice fast bowler especially in Tests and his absence is set to severely hurt an already depleted attack-missing Saeed Ajmal and Mohammad Hafeez due to suspension and injury, respectively.

Left-arm pacer Sohail Tanvir has been retained for the remaining ODIs as a replacement for the injured Junaid Khan.

Tanvir was originally a part of the T20 squad and now rejoins the team in Dubai for the ODIs. He last featured in an ODI against Sri Lanka in Dubai last December.

Murali backs struggling Saeed Ajmal

Sri Lanka's champion off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan  has backed the suspended Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal.

During a media interaction after the Australia team, Muralitharan is working as a spin bowling consultant completed a crushing win over Pakistan in the first of the three ODIs played in Sharjah.

"Nothing is impossible, I hear Saqlain is working with Saeed Ajmal and if they work hard Ajmal can improve his action."

Muralitharan who captured a world record 800 Test wickets added that the controversial 'doosra' delivery can be bowled with a clean bowling action.

"I bowled the 'doosra' legally, Saqlain did it legally. I don't see any reason why it can't be bowled with-in the ICC 15 degree rule."

Muralitharan also sympathised with Pakistan's predicament of playing international cricket outside their country all the time.

"Pakistan batsmen are struggling since they can't bat in an international game at home. You get confidence from playing/batting at home and unfortunately the new players haven't had that opportunity which is hurting their game."