Razzaq injured in pre-Test nets
Georgetown (Guyana), May 2: With the opening encounter of the three-match Test series against the West Indies only four days away, Pakistan suffered a setback with injury to their all-rounder Abdur Razzaq, who has a thigh strain on his right leg
Qamar Ahmed
03-May-2000
Georgetown (Guyana), May 2: With the opening encounter of the
three-match Test series against the West Indies only four days away,
Pakistan suffered a setback with injury to their all-rounder Abdur
Razzaq, who has a thigh strain on his right leg which may keep him out
of the Test.
Razzaq, who did not play in the four-day game against the West Indies
Under-23s at Uitvlugt, which Pakistan won by 107 runs, injured his
thigh during training on Monday and has been advised rest.
Pakistan physio Dan Kiesal is monitoring his injury and is not sure if
he will be fit in time to make the team. "We are giving him therapy
and exercise but I am not really sure if Razzaq can recover from this
injury in time," said Kiesal soon after Pakistan's first practice
session at Bourda, the venue for the first Test.
Pakistan's injury worry comes at the heel of Shoaib Akhtar who has
bowled only 10 overs in the last five weeks since Pakistan has been
here in the Caribbean. The only match Shoaib played so far is the
final of the triangular series which is not a good enough preparation
for him to be in the side for the first Test. He is likely to miss out
too.
Pakistan other worry is the practice ball. They have not been provided
with quality practice ball like 'Duke' by the West Indies cricket
board which has damaged the bats of the tourists who have so far been
using ordinary local balls for practice.
A West Indian board spokesman said: "It is not cost effective. The
West Indies players also practice with the similar balls."
Pakistan manager Brig (Retd) Khawaja Mohammad Nasir on Monday
contacted Ehsan Mani, Pakistan representative at the ICC in London, to
send a couple of dozens of 'Duke' balls for practice.
"We expect to have the balls within a couple of days. Yawar Saeed
after attending the ICC meeting is likely to be here on Thursday and
he will bring along the packet with him," said Brig Nasir.