Pakistan have lost batsman Mohammad Yousuf and all-rounder Shoaib Malik for the first Test against South Africa while fast bowler Umar Gul is also a doubt, a Pakistan Cricket Board official said on Monday.
Saleem Altaf, director cricket operations, said Malik had been ruled out with a knee injury while Yousuf would miss the first Test to be with his pregnant wife.
The first test starts on January 11 in Johannesburg.
”Yousuf might even miss the second Test as his wife has a complicated pregnancy and her operation could be delayed until the 19th,” Altaf told Reuters.
Yousuf was Pakistan’s most successful batsman last year, scoring 1 788 runs with nine centuries, breaking the 30-year record for most runs and hundreds in a calendar year set by West Indian Viv Richards.
Altaf said Malik had been advised to take two weeks’ rest.
”Umar Gul is also suffering from an ankle problem and will undergo tests when the team reaches Johannesburg on Tuesday,” said Altaf.
”We are not sure if he was carrying the ankle injury when he went to South Africa. But his position will become clear after the Tests,” he added.
All-rounder Abdul Razzaq has already been ruled out of all three Tests with a calf muscle injury.
Up the rankings
Proteas’ captain Graeme Smith has jumped 10 places in the LG International Cricket Council Player Rankings for Test batsmen following his man-of-the-match contribution of 94 and 55 in the third Castle Test against India at Newlands in Cape Town.
The left-handed Smith is now back in the top 20, holding 18th position after putting a slump in batting form resoundingly behind him at Newlands.
Makhaya Ntini remains the highest ranked South African in world cricket.
He retains his second place spot behind Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan in the bowling ratings despite taking only one wicket in the third Castle Test against India.
Australians Glen McGrath and Shane Warne have retired, holding third and fourth positions respectively.
Shaun Pollock moved up the bowling ratings following good performances against India, and he now stands in ninth place.
The Proteas’ success against India has seen them gain four team-rating points.
While this does not mean an improvement in the side’s sixth place, it does mean that the Proteas are within striking distance of Sri Lanka. — Reuters, Sapa