Saqib Mahmood replaces injured Josh Tongue in Lions squad against Pakistan A

Tongue suffered a stress fracture on his left foot.

Published - 28 Sept 2018, 10:56 IST | Updated - 28 Sept 2018, 10:56 IST

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21-year old Lancashire pacer Saqib Mahmood will replace Josh Tongue in the England Lions squad which takes on Pakistan A in the UAE. Worcestershire’s Tongue, who is also a fast bowler, was ruled out of the four-day game. He suffered a stress fracture on his left foot.

Tongue was initially picked only for the one-off four-day fixture against Pakistan A. However, he sustained the injury on Day 2 of Worcestershire’s County game against Yorkshire in Worcester which took place last week. Due to the injury, he was unable to bowl in the second innings.

Tongue subsequently underwent an MRI scan in order to asses the extent of the damage.Josh Tongue has had several issues with his foot as of late. In June this year, he was diagnosed with a “stress response in a metatarsal in his left foot”. However, the paceman was able to recover from the injury. He had a successful County season, bagging a total of 40 wickets averaging just over 25.

Who is Saqib Mahmood?

Saqib Mahmood nevertheless remains an exciting prospect as a replacement for Tongue. The right-arm bowler can clock up to speeds of 92mph. In 2015, he was also named England Development Programme Cricketer of the Year.Mahmood hasn’t been injury free either; earlier this year he was ruled out for most part of the County season due to a side strain.

He’s only just recovered from his injury, and made a comeback to County cricket by picking up two wickets against Hampshire. Mahmood will also feature in the Lions’ limited overs squads which will play Pakistan A.

Four-day squad

Dom Bess (Somerset), Sam Billings (Kent), Joe Clarke (Worcestershire), Nick Gubbins (Middlesex), Max Holden (Middlesex), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Yorkshire), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Jamie Overton (Somerset), Matt Parkinson (Lancashire), Jamie Porter (Essex), Jason Roy (Surrey), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Amar Virdi (Surrey), Mark Wood (Durham)

50-over and T20 squad

Dom Bess (Somerset), Joe Clarke (Worcestershire), Alex Davies (Lancashire), Lewis Gregory (Somerset), Nick Gubbins (Middlesex), Sam Hain (Warwickshire), Max Holden (Middlesex), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (Yorkshire), Liam Livingstone (Lancashire), Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire), Craig Overton (Somerset), Jamie Overton (Somerset), Matt Parkinson (Lancashire), Jamie Porter (Essex), Mark Wood (Durham)