‘Imad’s injury not serious’

NOTTINGHAM:  Imad Wasim was hoping to be fully fit ahead of Pakistan’s fourth One-day International against England after missing Tuesday’s game here at Trent Bridge because of a painful knee.

A Pakistan team official told ‘The News’ that Imad was all set to play in the must-win third ODI after his impressive showing in Saturday’s game at Lord’s but had to be taken out of the line-up after the all-rounder complained of a painful knee just before the match.

Imad, who scored a fighting 63 and took two wickets on Saturday, was hit on the knee while batting at Lord’s. He was cleared to play Tuesday’s match despite that injury but complained of pain while training at Trent Bridge just before the start of the third ODI.

“Imad said that he started experiencing pain in his knee during a warm-up session before the match. The team management decided to replace him with Mohammad Nawaz. The injury, however, doesn’t look very serious and hopefully he (Imad) will be fit for the next games of the series,” the official said.

Pakistan will travel to Leeds on Wednesday morning for the fourth ODI to be played on Thursday (tomorrow).