Spinal injury rules Talha out of England series - Cricket News Update
The emerging fast bowler of Pakistan, Mohammad Talha, has been ruled out of the remainder of ongoing Test series against England due to a spinal disc problem.
The 23-year-old pacer has been ruled out of the next two Test matches, while he is most likely to miss the one day leg of the tour as well. The MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scans showed a spinal disc problem, which is unfortunate for the pace bowler
who was looking to play a part in the series. Muhammad Talha did not feature in the series opener, which Pakistan won convincingly by 10 wickets.
Pakistan cricket team's manager Naveed Cheema confirmed the injury to Talha and revealed that the rookie pacer would soon head back home to undergo a rehabilitation programme.
"Talha developed back problem and in the MRI scan it was revealed that he has a disc problem,” team manager Naveed Cheema said while speaking to the media reporters on Monday. “When his pain subsides in the next two three days he will return home," he added
further.
When asked about the rehabilitation time, Cheema said that the pace bowler will initially wait for 2 to 3 days before the pain subsides, and then he will fly back to Pakistan, where he has been advised ten to twelve days rest. However, the recovery can take
more time.
The second Test of the three-match series begins at Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, January 25, 2012 before both the teams return to Dubai for the third and final Test of the series which is starting at the Dubai International Stadium from February 3, 2012.
Replying to a query regarding replacement for the injured pacer, Cheema said that they did not require a replacement for Wednesday’s second Test.
Even though he did not play the first Test, he was part of Pakistan Cricket Board’s XI that played England in a three-day warm up match ahead of the Test series. He claimed four wickets in the warm up match that England won by 100 runs.
Talha’s solitary Test appearance came against Sri Lanka at Lahore in March 2009, a match best remembered for the militant attacks on the touring Lankan team. The fast bowler has been awaiting his second chance, and this injury is a big blow to him.