Asif, Malik and Younis doubtful for second Test

Pakistan went into the opening Test here at Lord's without three of their key players and it remains uncertain whether the injured trio would be fit in time for the second match at Old Trafford later this month.

A Pakistan team official told The News that Younis Khan, the vice-captain and middle-order batsman, Shoaib Malik, the allrounder and Mohammad Asif, the medium pacer, were left out of the playing XI at the last minute because of fitness problems.

Zaheer Abbas, the team manager, said the management was hoping to field Younis Khan in the opening Test but since he still complained of a painful knee and it was decided to replace him with Faisal Iqbal, the talented middle-order batsman.

"Younis has been getting treatment for his knee problem for the last few days and we were all hoping he would be fit to play at Lordís," said Zaheer. "But unfortunately, he was still in pain last night and we had no choice but to leave him out."

He added that Younis, who had torn a ligament under his knee, would continue to get treatment for the injury. It was still too early to say that whether he would get fit in time for the second Test scheduled to get underway from July 27.

"Such injuries can be a bit tricky," Zaheer continued. "But we are all hoping that Younis would be fine before the second Test."

He said Shoaib Malik was also struggling to recover from an elbow problem in time for the Old Trafford outing.

Shoaib, who scored a superb century in a warm-up game earlier this month, has been batting in the nets but was left out because he is having problems in throwing the ball.

Zaheer informed that he has talked to Malik about his injury, adding that the bowler is not sure how long will it take for him to get match fit.

However, Asif, ruled out of the opening Test because of a tennis elbow, is hopeful of passing a fitness test before the team's departure to Manchester.

Zaheer stated that Asif has been recovering fast and has a good chance of becoming available for selection for the second Test.