Rana Naved-ul-Hasan's further participation in the series is uncertain © AFP Enlarge

Rana Naved-ul-Hasan, the Pakistan fast bowler, rushed home from Colombo on Sunday to be with his wife who has been hospitalized following complications with her pregnancy.

"He was put on the first flight that was available," a Pakistan team official told The News."He was desperate to return and be with his family after hearing about his wife's poor health."

Rana had been named in the eleven, in preference to over Rao Iftikhar, because of his experience and good form in the ODIs. In the end, Umar Gul was called in to replace Rana; his first Test appearance for nearly two years.

Rana rushed to the airport in the afternoon, only possible because the first day's play of the first Test was washed out. "He took the permission of the team management before returning home," Zaheer Abbas, the team manager, said. Whether he will return before the second Test is uncertain at the moment and Zaheer said a decision on any replacement would be taken soon.