Rookie pace bowler Junaid replaces ‘unfit’ Tanvir in Pak squad for World Cup 2011

LAHORE - Pakistan pace bowler Junaid Khan has replaced his colleague Sohail Tanvir in the national squad for the forthcoming World Cup, after the latter was ruled out owing to his slow recovery from last year’s knee surgery.

“Fast bowler Junaid Khan has been approved as Tanvir’s replacement by the International Cricket Council (ICC),” the Daily Times quoted the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), as saying in a statement.

Although 21-year-old Junaid has never played international cricket so far, he has featured regularly for Pakistan’s A side after playing for the Under-19s, and impressed selectors by amassing 167 wickets in just 35 first-class matches.

Meanwhile, Tanvir has protested the decision, saying that he is fully fit and prepared for playing in his first World Cup.

However, the PCB said that its medical team and the team management “opined that Tanvir still requires time to attain hundred percent fitness before he can compete at the international level.”

“During the [New Zealand] tour it was observed that quick movements and pickup with weight hindered Tanvir’s mobility and requires him to take a few extra steps to balance himself before throwing,” the PCB added.

Pakistan team manager Intikhab Alam said there could be no place for any half-fit player. “We don’t want to take any player who is not fully fit so we had to take this decision. Junaid can bowl fast and can surprise other teams if he gets to play matches,” Alam told reporters.

Meanwhile, the ICC has confirmed that the Event Technical Committee of the World Cup 2011 has approved Junaid as a replacement player for injured Tanvir in the Pakistan squad for the tournament.

“The confirmation was conveyed to the PCB on behalf of the committee,” an ICC statement said. (ANI)