Sami could miss West Indies tour

Mohammad Sami, who led Pakistan's fast-bowling attack in India recently, could miss out on the tour of West Indies next month after having a cyst surgically removed from his right heel. Sami went under the knife on Monday night, and has been advised up to three weeks' rest, according to Saleem Altaf, the Pakistan Cricket Board's director of cricket affairs.

After Shoaib Akhtar had been ruled out with a hamstring injury, Sami led the line with mixed results in India, overcoming a pallid start to bowl with genuine pace and menace in the final Test at Bangalore, where Pakistan recorded a crushing series-equalling victory. However, he missed the final two matches of the one-day series once the heel problem cropped up.

With the selectors due to meet on Monday to announce a squad for the two Tests and three one-day internationals in the Caribbean, all eyes are on Shoaib and Shabbir Ahmed, both of whom should be included if they can convince the sceptics of their fitness. The first ODI will be played on May 18.