Injured Gul, Bhatti out of NZ ODIs

Injuries have forced Umar Gul and Bilawal Bhatti out of the Pakistan squad for the remaining three ODIs against New Zealand. Fast bowler Anwar Ali and legspinner Yasir Shah have been picked as their replacements.

Misbah-ul-Haq will also miss the remaining three ODIs due to a hamstring injury he suffered during the second ODI in Sharjah*. Shahid Afridi will lead the side in his absence. Misbah sustained an injury in the third over of New Zealand's chase on Friday and did not take the field for the rest of the game. However, the PCB have not taken a decision on whether Misbah will stay with the team or return to Pakistan.

Following a long injury lay-off, Gul made his return to international cricket in the second T20 against New Zealand. He played the first ODI but was dropped from the second due to a bruised tendon in his left ankle. He aggravated his same injury that kept him out through 2013. He underwent a surgery last year in Australia but his fitness has been talking point since than. Bhatti, meanwhile, is out due to a hand injury.

"With fitness issues ruling them out for the duration of the next three ODIs, Umar Gul (injury to left tendon), Bilawal Bhatti (stitches in the right hand webbing) are being sent back home to go through recovery and rehabilitation, and pace bowler Anwar Ali and legspinner Yasir Shah have been recalled," Pakistan chief selector and manager Moin Khan said.

"With all-rounder Anwar Ali coming over, our strength in pace would be restored while Yasir Shah has performed very well in recent matches and his presence would give our attack a well-rounded look. The leggie is also a good prospect for us for the ICC World Cup 2015, so more exposure would do him a world of good."

Shah played his only ODI for Pakistan in September 2011 against Zimbabwe. However, he was impressive in the Test series against Australia and New Zealand. He was the second-highest wicket-taker in the two Tests against Australia, finishing his debut series with 12 wickets. In the three Tests against New Zealand, Shah finished as the top wicket-taker, bagging 15 wickets. Anwar, meanwhile, played both T20 games against New Zealand but had been excluded from the squad for the first two ODIs.

Mohammad Hafeez, who was supposed to be released from the ODI squad in order to work on his action, has been retained. The PCB had said that Hafeez would be sent to Chennai to work with biomechanists and correct his bowling action, which was deemed illegal by the ICC earlier in the month. The selectors decided to retain him in the squad until his India visa is cleared.

Pakistan squad for three ODIs: Ahmed Shehzad, Anwar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Hafeez, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Irfan, Nasir Jamshed, Sarfraz Ahmad (wk), Shahid Afridi (capt), Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Younis Khan, Zulfiqar Babar

* 1800 GMT. The article has been updated following news of Misbah-ul-Haq's availability for the series