Naveen-ul-Haq set to undergo knee surgery in England

Afghanistan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq will travel to England to undergo knee surgery, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced on Saturday (July 8). He will first consult an orthopedic specialist there before going under the knife, which the ACB say will be a 'minor surgery.'

As a result, he is expected to be out of action for a couple of months, meaning he will not take part in the upcoming T20 International (T20I) series against Bangladesh. He has been replaced by Nijat Masood, who played three T20Is against Zimbabwe in Harare last year. He also made his Test debut last month, incidentally against Bangladesh in Mirpur, where he picked up a five-wicket haul.

🚨 Injury Update | Naveen Ul Haq to Undergo Knee Surgery, Replaced by Nijat Masoud

Afghanistan's right-arm quick, @imnaveenulhaq, has suffered a knee injury and is expected to visit a Knee Injuries specialist in the United Kingdom for minor surgery. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/QfTZ0II5c9

— Afghanistan Cricket Board (@ACBofficials) July 8, 2023

"He [Naveen] is expected to be out for two months," Asadullah Khan, ACB chief selector, told Cricbuzz.

"We have replaced Naveen with Nijat as we opted for a pace bowler for a pace bowler and we feel he is carrying a good form." 

Afghanistan have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series against Bangladesh - their first series win over their neighbours. Afghanistan won the first ODI by 17 runs by DLS method after rain played spoilsport and followed that with a convincing 142-run win in the second game in Chattogram. The third and final game of the series will be played at the same venue after which the two teams to leave for Sylhet for the two T20I on July 14 and 16.