LAHORE – Pakistan left-arm pacer Usman Khan Shinwari has been struck a cruel blow after it was discovered that he had suffered a stress fracture in his back.
The 23-year-old sustained the injury after Pakistan’s narrow two-wicket win over Sri Lanka in the second T20 in Abu Dhabi, and was subsequently forced to miss the final game of the tour – the historic T20I in Lahore.
He tore through Sri Lanka in just his second match taking the fastest ever five-wicket haul for 34 in ODI cricket and appeared set to add yet more firepower to the imposing Pakistan pace attack.
Now, the medical screening confirmed a lumbar-bone stress in his back.
As a result of the injury, Usman will remain out of action for at least six months.
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Usman has been plagued by back injuries in his young career struggling with a similar problem back in 2013 and missing much of the 2014/15 season with back problems.
Reflecting on Usman’s injury, Pakistan head coach Mickey Arthur said that though the news is disappointing, it would give him best chance to recover quickly.
“It is disappointing but this [course of treatment] will give him the best chance of recovering as quickly as possible,” ESPNcricinfo quoted Arthur as saying.
Usman’s injury is the latest in a string to hit the Pakistan team with Mohammad Amir, Ruman Raees, Babar Azam and Imad Wasim all missing games recently.
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When asked if he was concerned about the injuries Arthur said: “A little bit, but a lot of them niggles just needed a bit of rest and that is why we have put such a lot of effort in working on our bench strength.”
Pakistan do not have a scheduled international engagement until their tour of New Zealand begins in January.
