Haris Sohail out as Pakistan, England clash in first ODI today at Cardiff

Haris Sohail was ruled out of the tour as the first match of the three-match ODI series between Pakistan and England will commence today (Thursday) at 5pm (PST), which will be followed by three T20Is on 16, 18 and 20 July, reported 24NewsHD TV channel. 

It was in 1974 that Pakistan had played their first-ever bilateral series against England in England. Having won the two-match series 2-0, Pakistan never again registered a bilateral series victory in England. That means it’s been 47 years since Pakistan won any ODI cricket series against England at their home ground. 

Almost five decades down the line, Pakistan have a golden chance of winning an ODI series in England. Doing it in the general run of things against the world champions would’ve been an enormous challenge. Having said that, with England fielding a whole new 18-member squad, Pakistan have gained a fortunate significant advantage.

Pitch and conditions

Cardiff served up a dog of a pitch for the T20I against Sri Lanka last month - tacky, two-paced, with occasionally savage lift, and resulting in a match strike-rate of barely a run a ball as England laboured to hunt down a paltry target of 112.

With abject weather to boot, it was not exactly the spectacle the BBC might have ordered for their first live match of the English summer. But at least the sun is expected to shine on Sophia Gardens on Thursday. The rest is in the lap of the groundstaff.

Pakistan are getting ready for their first ODI against England tomorrow 📸

Who will be their best performer in the series?#ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/5SnydBH6SQ

— ICC (@ICC) July 7, 2021

Haris Sohail

Haris Sohail has been ruled out of the England tour due to a hamstring injury. The MRI conducted on Wednesday revealed a grade three tear injury, which he had picked up during a training session in Derby last week.

The PCB medical panel has advised the left-handed middle-order batsman to undergo a four-week rehabilitation programme before a reassessment is carried out.

Haris, who was selected for the ODIs only, will return to Pakistan to undergo the rehabilitation programme at the National High Performance Centre in Lahore.

Haris Sohail: “I was keenly looking forward to the ODIs as part of my objective to contribute in the side’s success and also cement my position in the side. In this background, I am disappointed that my tour has been cut-short, but I will return to Lahore and undergo a rehabilitation programme so that I can fully recover for the 2021-22 season.”

Earlier, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) contacted the England and Wales Cricket Board regarding concerns about the health and safety of its players since the news of Covid-19 outbreak in the England camp was shared with it on late Monday evening.

The PCB was satisfied by the assurances and guarantees provided by the ECB on behalf of its medical panel, and feels comfortable with the existing protocols that have been put in place to ensure all the Pakistan players and player support staff remain safe and secure throughout the duration of the series, which commences on Thursday, 8 July, in Cardiff.

The PCB also advised team management to exercise extra caution while in the hotel or at the match venue.

FIXTURES

8 July, 01:00pm local, Sophia Gardens, Cardiff

10 July, 11:00am local, Lord's Cricket Ground, London
13 July, 01:00pm local, Edgbaston, Birmingham