Zaheer Khan to fly home

Zaheer Khan is returning to India and will take no further part in the Test series against Pakistan. An MRI scan revealed that Zaheer had pulled a muscle in his right leg, and it was not the hamstring that was injured, as was suspected earlier.

Ratnakar Shetty, the team's manager, added that Andrew Leipus, the team physiotherapist, spoke at length to local doctors and they decided there was no chance that Zaheer would recover in time for the third Test. It was then decided that he be sent back home.

Zaheer's injury happened during the historic maiden Test win at Multan. He bowled 23 overs in the first innings and took 1 for 76, but limped off the field and could not bowl in the second innings.

Ashish Nehra, Zaheer's replacement, has already arrived in Lahore. He had an extended bowl in the nets, and, despite wearing plaster on the webbing between his index finger and thumb, is fully fit. Nehra split the webbing on his finger in the second one-dayer at Rawalpindi, and had to return home, but is now back raring to go.

"It's good to return to Pakistan and be a part of the team again," Nehra said. "The team is doing well, and I am also confident of contributing to the team's cause if I am picked to play in the second Test."

Nehra's short international career has so far been hampered by a host of injuries, something he admitted he found frustrating. "When you pick up an injury like this one in Rawalpindi, or like the one I did in the ICC Champions Trophy in Sri Lanka there's nothing much you can do about it," he said. "But it's definitely frustrating to be in and out of the side.

"As far as my ankle is concerned, that is something I have to live with for the rest of my life. I have had two surgeries on my ankle, and it is no big deal. I don't have pain all the time, but sometimes, there is a bit of swelling, and then all I can do is ice it. It's not something new for any fast bowler. It's the same kind of injury Brett Lee and Allan Donald have had."

But now he's fit, he knows that he won't walk back into the side: "Pathan and Balaji are bowling well, and that is good for the sake of the team. There is a healthy competition between all of us, and that can only be good news for Indian cricket."

With two days to go before the start of the second Test, there's still plenty of grass on the wicket. Lahore is abuzz with talk of a greentop, and India are certain to go into the match with three fast bowlers. Irfan Pathan is sure to play after his fine display in the first Test, and this leaves Lakshmipathy Balaji, Ashish Nehra and Ajit Agarkar fighting it out for the last two bowling spots.