Pakistan skipper’s injury woes

KOLKATA – Fast bowler Umar Gul will return home after failing to recover from a back injury, adding to Pakistan’s fitness problems on the eve of the crucial second Test against India here today.

Pakistan, seeking to avoid their first Test series loss in India in more than two decades, were racing against time to find 11 fit players following injuries and illness in their 15-man squad. Pakistan’s last Test series defeat in India came in 1980.They trail 1-0 in the three-match series following their six-wicket loss in the opening game in New Delhi on Monday.Ace paceman Shoaib Akhtar is still recovering from a chest infection, skipper Shoaib Malik from an ankle injury, and batsman Misbah-ul-Haq and fast bowler Mohammad Sami from viral infections.”We have too many fitness problems in the team at the moment.I felt pain while jogging.I will have one more fitness test on Friday before “Gul bowled at the nets, but he felt pain.He needs treatment and that’s why he is going home.We need four specialist bowlers for a Test match.Malik said Akhtar was still under treatment and it was too early to say whether he would be available for the match.Akhtar was the lone Pakistani bowler to trouble India in the opening match as he finished with six wickets, including four in the second innings.Gul has so far bagged 67 wickets in 16 Tests.Pakistan now have only three fit bowlers – spinners Danish Kaneria and Abdur Rehman, and seamer Sohail Tanvir, who has only played one Test.Nampa-AFPPakistan’s last Test series defeat in India came in 1980.They trail 1-0 in the three-match series following their six-wicket loss in the opening game in New Delhi on Monday.Ace paceman Shoaib Akhtar is still recovering from a chest infection, skipper Shoaib Malik from an ankle injury, and batsman Misbah-ul-Haq and fast bowler Mohammad Sami from viral infections.”We have too many fitness problems in the team at the moment.I felt pain while jogging.I will have one more fitness test on Friday before “Gul bowled at the nets, but he felt pain.He needs treatment and that’s why he is going home.We need four specialist bowlers for a Test match.Malik said Akhtar was still under treatment and it was too early to say whether he would be available for the match.Akhtar was the lone Pakistani bowler to trouble India in the opening match as he finished with six wickets, including four in the second innings.Gul has so far bagged 67 wickets in 16 Tests.Pakistan now have only three fit bowlers – spinners Danish Kaneria and Abdur Rehman, and seamer Sohail Tanvir, who has only played one Test.Nampa-AFP

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.