Umar’s tour in doubt after ankle injury

Batsman sustains ankle injury during the practice session prior to the third ODI.

DUBAI: Pakistan batsman Umar Akmal has sustained ankle injury during the practice session prior to the third One-Day International in Dubai that ended his hopes of taking part in the match.

Akmal twisted his ankle while playing volleyball during the training session and was lined up to replace Misbahul Haq but his last-minute injury forced his omission and the team management, instead, handed a return to the opener Imran Farhat.

“To avoid an aggravation of his injury, the team management decided to leave him out,” a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) spokesperson told The Express Tribune. “He was sent for an MRI scan on his ankle and we’re still waiting for the reports. His future will be decided after we receive the reports.”

Meanwhile, wicketkeeper Zulqarnain Haider’s immediate future also remains unconvincing after he looked in pain towards the end of the South Africa innings in the third ODI after apparently injuring his finger while stretching to stop a Shoaib Akhtar wide delivery.

“I can’t comment right now but the picture will be clear after the match,” said the spokesman on Haider’s injury.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 3^rd, 2010.