Pakistan fast bowler Wahab Riaz has been ruled out of the remainder of the Test series in Sri Lanka, after he suffered a hairline fracture on the knuckle of his bowling hand on the first day of the second Test in Colombo. Wahab is expected to be out of the game for at least two weeks.
“We had sent him for an X-ray last night and the result shows a hairline fracture,” Pakistan team manager Naveed Akram Cheema said. “We are not sure if he recovers ahead of the ODI series but he is at least out for two weeks. That means he can’t be the part of the Test series.”
Wahab was struck on the gloves by a delivery from Sri Lanka fast bowler Dushmantha Chameera while batting on the first day. Wahab bowled nine overs during Sri Lanka’s innings in the last session on Thursday but he was seen struggling with his follow through and clutching his left hand between deliveries besides getting assistance from the physiotherapist at the boundary.
He stayed in the field for two hours and bowled three spells before going off. “Despite the blow on his bowling hand, he was still willing to come out and bowl many overs,” Pakistan coach Waqar Younis said. “Hats off to him as he tried to give his best shot.”
His injury is a significant setback to Pakistan, who were dismissed for 138 on the opening day at P Sara Oval. Pakistan, who are leading in the series after a win in the Galle Test, had opted to bat but imploded in the second session, losing eight wickets for 64 runs. With Mohammad Hafeez reported for a suspect action after the first Test, Wahab’s injury puts considerable pressure on pacer Junaid Khan and the spin pair of Zulfiqar Babar and legspinner Yasir Shah.
The final Test of the series will be played in Pallekele between July 3 and 7.
of consultation described in this paragraph in respect of such other mode of dismissal shall then be conducted as if the batsman has been given not out.
As the clause does not suggest umpires must check for all possible modes of dismissal for a review, Reiffel’s mistake seemed an error of judgement, rather than a failure to follow protocol. He may have overlooked the possibility of an lbw dismissal during his consultation.
The Pakistan coach Waqar Younis went to Chris Broad, the match referee, to seek an explanation for the decision. ESPNcricinfo learned Broad and Reiffel apologised for the oversight, and it was reluctantly accepted by the team because nothing could be done after play carried on.
