Injury-hit Pakistan suffer Malik blow

INJURY-HIT Pakistan suffered a fresh blow when coach Bob Woolmer said opening batsman Shoaib Malik was doubtful for the entire Test series against England.

Malik was omitted from the ongoing first Test at Lord’s with an elbow injury, which Pakistan had hoped an operation two months ago would cure.

However, Woolmer — following the second day of the series yesterday — said: “Shoaib Malik is doubtful for the whole series. His injury is not reacting to injections and he might not make it for the Tests.”

Malik, 24, has scored 798 runs in 15 Tests with one century — 148 against Sri Lanka in his last Test appearance in Colombo in May.

He can also bowl off-spin but he has twice been reported for an illegal action, most recently in November.

The Pakistani squad has been severely hit by injuries.

Among the casualties is spearhead fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who was omitted from the original tour party after hurting his ankle.

Fellow paceman Rana Naved-ul-Hasan then had to withdraw from the tour before the four-Test series got underway with a groin problem.

Meanwhile, vice-captain and senior batsman Younis Khan (knee) and fast bowler Mohammad Asif (elbow) are both missing from the Pakistan team at Lord’s.

In their absence, the tourists were 66 for three at stumps yesterday in reply to England’s first innings 528 for nine declared, a deficit of 462.

But former England batsman Woolmer was optimistic that Pakistan’s injury crisis would improve by the time the second Test starts at Old Trafford on July 27.

“Younis Khan and Mohammad Asif are making good progress and we hope to have them available for the second Test,” he said.