LAHORE: A career-halting stress fracture back is set to sideline Pakistan fast bowler Usman Khan Shinwari for next four to six months, a spokesman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Saturday.

The 23-year-old bowler’s initial medical prognosis medical test revealed he has a fracture in his back, which will require lengthy rest to heal. It also means that that Usman will definitely miss the next edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in which he has a confirmed place in the Karachi Kings franchise, which retained him for the next edition.

Usman made the headlines with his sensational bowling figures of five for 34 against Sri Lanka in the fifth ODI at Sharjah on Oct 23.

Later, he played two T20 matches in the UAE against the islanders but pulled up injured during the second match and was forced to miss the final game at the Gaddafi Stadium last Sunday.

Published in Dawn, November 5th, 2017