Mohammad Irfan suffers upset stomach

Mohammad Irfan, the Pakistan fast bowler, suffered an upset stomach during the third ODI in Johannesburg and could be in doubt for the fourth ODI in Durban on March 21. Irfan was visibly uncomfortable in the field after bowling seven overs on a hot day in Johannesburg, requiring medical attention before walking off to the dressing room. In the previous ODI, in Centurion, Irfan picked up four wickets and was adjudged Man of the Match in Pakistan's victory, but there too, he bowled seven overs before walking off the field, holding his hamstring.

Sohail Tanvir, the left-arm seamer who also plays for the Lions franchise in South Africa, was in the Pakistan dressing room watching the game. Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain, said Pakistan will be considering him as a back-up option. "We are considering him [Tanvir] as a back-up," he told reporters at the end of the third ODI, won by South Africa who took a 2-1 lead.

In Johannesburg, Pakistan were initially not allowed a substitute for Irfan since the umpires felt he was carrying an injury into this game. But once it was discovered he had an upset stomach today, and not a hamstring problem, a substitute was eventually allowed.

"He got an upset stomach and loose motions, there is nothing wrong with the hamstring," Misbah said. "There was some confusion with the umpires when he left the field so that's why we had to field with 10 men for a bit. Once they got the call from the doctor that it was something different, it was not the hamstring, we were allowed the substitute.

"There is no issue with Irfan's hamstring, he got cramps and he felt drained so that's why he left the field. His hamstring is fine. We will have to see whether he is available for the next match if his stomach gets better."

Umar Gul played in Centurion but missed out in Johannesburg due to injury, and his condition too needs to be monitored ahead of Pakistan's next match. "After the last game he had a small knee problem and he had some pain," Misbah said. "He was still in pain today and sideways movement was difficult for him so that would be a problem, especially when fielding."