Saqib Mahmood ruled out of County Championship 2022 season

England fast bowler Saqib Mahmood has been ruled out of the County Championship 2022 due to a lumbar stress fracture.

The Birmingham-born pacer featured in just a single game for the Lancashire County team against Gloucestershire last month. He finished with four wickets to his name, with the team winning by an innings and 57 runs. 

However, the 25-year-old missed out on the subsequent fixtures due to the complaint of back pain. After that, the scans revealed the magnitude of this injury. 

The England Cricket Board released a statement on Monday and informed that Mahmood's rehabilitation programme would be under the supervision of Lancashire and England medical teams. 

"No timeframe has been set for his (Mahmood's) return. His ongoing rehabilitation will be co-managed between Lancashire and England medical teams," the ECB said on Monday.

Earlier this year, the pacer had made his Test debut in the second Test of the Caribbean Tour at Bridgetown. He took six wickets at an average of 22.83 and was highly appreciated for his bowling.

The selectors were expected to name him for the 3-match Test series against New Zealand in June. However, his latest injury concern will undoubtedly put the panel in a tight spot, who are already searching for a replacement for Chris Woakes, Mark Wood, and Jofra Archer.