Ajmal could be sent as injured Irfan’s replacement: PCB chief

PCB chief says final decision on who would be sought as a replacement rests with team management

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Shaharyar Khan on Tuesday said that Saeed Ajmal could be sent as replacement for injured pacer Muhammad Irfan.

Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan’s ace fast bowler Irfan was ruled out of the remainder of the World Cup because of a stress fracture to his pelvis, the country’s cricket board announced.

Read: Pelvis injury forces Pakistan’s Irfan out of World Cup

Talking to Express News analyst Ayaz Khan, the PCB chairman said that no replacement will be sent for the tall fast bowler for Friday's quarter final between Pakistan and Australia as by the time replacement reaches Adelaide, the match would be over.

“But if Pakistan proceeds to the semi-final, then a replacement will be sent and it could be Ajmal,” he added.

The 38-year-old off-spinner was cleared by the International Cricket Council (ICC) on February 7, after suspended from bowling in international cricket last September for illegal bowling action.

Read: Setting the record straight: Ajmal mends the bend

Responding to a question, Khan said, “It was up to the team management who they ask as a replacement for Irfan.”

Junaid Khan, who was originally sent with the 15-man squad, had to be sent back after he injured his leg during training. He could also be sent as replacement, Khan added.

The PCB chief further revealed that when Junaid and Muhammad Hafeez had got injured, he had suggested that Ajmal should be sent as a replacement but the tour selection committee wanted a fast bowler and an opener as replacement.

Before Irfan was ruled out of the rest of the tournament, former captain Wasim Akram told AFP that the player needed to work on his fitness.

“Irfan is different,” said Wasim. “His body stretches more and needs careful handling.

Earlier, the PCB confirmed Irfan’s injury.

“Irfan underwent an MRI scan on Monday afternoon and the radiologist’s report showed a stress injury of the pelvis but was inconclusive,” said a PCB release.

Brad Robinson, the Pakistan team’s physiotherapist, ordered a more detailed scan, which was carried out on Tuesday afternoon, and it reconfirmed a stress fracture in the pelvis.

“This injury rules Irfan out of the World Cup,” said Robinson.