Pakistan suffer another injury scare

BRISBANE: Ahmed Shehzad became a doubtful starter for Sunday’s must-win World Cup game against Zimbabwe here at the Gabba on Friday when it was revealed that the young opener is nursing an ankle problem.
Shehzad, 23, sustained an ankle injury on February 26 following two extensive training sessions. He skipped Friday’s training session here at the Gabba and had an MRI here at a local hospital.
The out-of-form opener has been in a lot of pain during the last couple of days which is why there are fears that he might not be available for the Pool B match against Zimbabwe.
However, Pakistan team’s physio believes that the injury is not of a serious nature and that Shehzad should be available for the crunch game on Sunday.
“On February 26, Ahmed Shehzad complained of acute pain in the region of the left Achilles’ tendon. This occurred during a fielding training session,” Brad Robinson, the team’s physio, was quoted as saying in a statement issued by the PCB on Friday.
“On examination he presented with a mild limp and he was tender at the insertion of the Achilles’ tendon. In these circumstances it is important to undergo MRI investigation to differentiate between tendon damage and or bursa involvement,” Robinson said.
“Ahmed had an MRI in Brisbane this morning. The results showed a slight retrocalcaneal bursitis (inflamed bursa) between the Achilles’ tendon and the calcaneus (heel bone). The Achilles’ tendon was intact and undamaged.
“As the tendon is not involved I am confident he will be available to play against Zimbabwe on the March 1, 2015,” he said.
“Ahmed is receiving the appropriate treatment involving regular ice therapy, topical and oral anti-inflammatory medication and a heel-raise to offload the area. An ultrasound guided injection is not advised at this stage as he would require a four-day rest period following such an infiltration. “He will be closely monitored over the next week,” Robinson concluded.