Zulqarnain to be ruled out of series

Pakistan’s Zulqarnain Haider is likely to be ruled out of the rest of the tour after sustaining an injury.

LAHORE: Pakistan’s reserve wicket-keeper Zulqarnain Haider is likely to be ruled out of the rest of the tour after sustaining an injury to the little finger of his right hand during the second Test against England.

“The x-ray revealed fracture to the little finger of his right hand,” confirmed Yawar Saeed, Pakistan team’s manager. “But the seriousness of the injury is yet to be discovered as further tests have been scheduled on Tuesday in London after which a final decision will be taken on his further participation on the tour.”

Haider was injured during Pakistan’s second Test against Australia at Headingley during the warm-up but it was not thought to be serious at that point. The opportunity of making his Pakistan debut Pakistan obliged him to play through the pain barrier, according to the wicket-keeper. He was seen looking at his finger at various instances during the Edgbaston Test - which Pakistan lost by nine wickets after yet another dismal batting performance.

The injury will clear the path for the return of Akmal to the playing eleven after sitting out just one match following batting failure and sloppy work behind the stumps that included dropped catches, misses stumping spilled takes.

However, Akmal, too, has sustained a slight injury to his eye after being hit by a ball during a training session. A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson said that it was not a serious injury and Akmal should be able to take his place in the starting line-up for the third Test that starts on Wednesday at The Oval.

“Akmal has a mild injury which will be okay in a day or two so no replacement has been called until now but the tour selection committee will decide on Haider’s injury after a check-up in London by a specialist doctor.”

Pakistan were earlier dealt a severe blow with fast-bowler Umar Gul ruled out of the Test series after pulling up while bowling in the second Test against England. Danish Kaneria, too, has been released by the squad and will resume his stint with Essex.

Rain forces tour-match abandonment

Pakistan’s only opportunity to get much-needed batting practice ahead of the crucial third Test against England was squashed by rain as the second day, and the match, was called off without a ball being bowled.

Pakistan, who trail 2-0 in the four-Test series, won the toss and opted to bat on the first day with Mohammad Yousuf making his first appearance on the tour after being called out of retirement by the Pakistan Cricket Board. Although he scored a vital unbeaten 40, the batsman, and the team management, would have hoped for better conditions for the other batsmen to gain confidence as well.

The team management also missed out on trying out fast-bowlers Wahab Riaz and Tanvir Ahmed, with either of the two certain to replace the injured Umar Gul in the playing eleven for the match starting on Wednesday at The Oval.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2010.