Spin maestro Yasir Shah is expected to return from injury in four to five weeks, just in time for the England tour, after going through Conservative Management that includes physical therapy and extensive rehabilitation.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced that ‘Yasir Shah is suffering from tear in the lateral meniscus along with small osteochondral defect.’
“He needs Conservative Management which includes physical therapy and extensive rehabilitation. In our opinion he will recover in 4-5 weeks´ time,” a PCB medical expert was quoted as saying in a press release issued on Tuesday.
Yasir is expected to be fit in time for the Test series in England, which starts on July 14, but he may miss the pre-series conditioning camp in Hampshire.
The bowler had suffered a meniscus tear in his knee during the ODI series against England in the UAE in November last year.
He was also tested positive for a banned substance and was provisionally suspended. During his time away from the game, Yasir missed the New Zealand tour, the Pakistan Super League (PSL), the Asia Cup and the World T20, and did not undergo rehabilitation for his knee injury.
After his suspension ended on March 27, Yasir participated in a spin-bowling camp at the National Cricket Academy and his injury flared up again during the Pakistan Cup tournament.
Yasir is currently third on ICC’s ranking for Test bowlers and has taken 76 wickets in 12 Tests since his debut in October 2014, including 49 dismissals in 2015.
Pakistan’s selectors are expected to name the squad for the England tour in the first week of June.
A group of more than 30 players are currently undergoing training in Abbottabad, working on their fitness under the supervision of the Pakistan Military Academy.
The squad for England will have a camp in Hampshire, followed by two tour matches, against Somerset and Sussex. The first Test of the four-match series starts at the Lord’s on July 14.
