Yorkshire's Adil Rashid will replace Andrew Flintoff in the ICC World Twenty20 after the England management conceded Flintoff would not be fit following his recent surgery on a slight tear to the meniscus in his right knee.

Yorkshire's Adil Rashid will replace Andrew Flintoff in the ICC World Twenty20 after the England management conceded Flintoff would not be fit following his recent surgery on a slight tear to the meniscus in his right knee.

Flintoff had surgery last month and yesterday visited his surgeon for an update on his progress. While he has made an excellent recovery, in line with the surgeons's prognosis, he will not be at full fitness in time for the ICC World Twenty20.

ECB  approached  ICC World Twenty20 technical committee for permission to nominate Adil Rashid as a replacement for Flintoff in the 15-man squad that was announced on May 1.

National Selector Geoff Miller said: 'We had to name Andrew in the ICC World Twenty20 15 because we hoped he would be fit but in reality the timescale was always optimistic.  We have now obtained permission from ICC to name Yorkshire's Adil Rashid as a replacement. There is a lot of cricket still to play this year and it is important Andrew is fully fit for it.

'Meanwhile it is an exciting opportunity for Adil Rashid, who was in the original 30 we named in early April. He has impressed the England management after being a part of the Test tour to India and the subsequent Caribbean tour and deserves his chance.'