LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has declared media reports about the injuries of captain Misbah-ul-Haq and bowler Junaid Khan as rubbish and clarified that duo players were vital to Pakistan team at the World Cup.
The PCB senior media manager Raza Kitchlew clarified that Misbah and Junaid were suffering from hamstring injuries and both were part of the training camp for the World Cup though Junaid’s injury relapsed and was advised further rest while Misbah took part in all training sessions at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
 The PCB official rejected the reports claiming that Junaid was no longer part of Pakistan World Cup plans were baseless adding that Junaid was going through rehabilitation for his injury and as the doctor advised, he will join the team.
Kitchlew also concurred with chairman Shahryar Khan’s earlier statement on Misbah in which the PCB boss once again threw his weight behind the captain, quashing all rumours about his fitness.
“Misbah is fit. He took part in all training sessions for the World Cup and will be leading the side.”
Shaharyar Khan on Tuesday approved Bhatti’s inclusion in Pakistan’s squad for a short ODI series against New Zealand on the condition that Misbah will play the right-arm fast bowler in all four matches in New Zealand to judge his form. The development sparked rumours that Junaid had been ruled out of the World Cup.
Paceman Junaid was due to make a comeback in international cricket since last playing against Sri Lanka in August. He missed the series against Australia and New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates due to a knee injury.
Pakistan will be playing two ODIs against New Zealand on January 31 at Wellington, and February 3 at Napier.
The Pakistani team starts the World Cup on February 15 against India in Adelaide, Australia.
The team key bowlers, Umar Gul and Saeed Ajmal, have already been ruled out of the World Cup due to injury and suspension respectively and Muhammad Hafeez is also facing suspension but as a batsman, he is still part of the team.
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