Pak pacer Irfan likely to miss series against Lanka

Karachi: Lanky Pakistan pacer Muhammad Irfan is set to miss the forthcoming home series against Sri Lanka to be played in the United Arab Emirates because of a hamstring injury.

 

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials said yesterday that Irfan had been advised atleast four weeks further rest to make a complete recovery from his injury which he sustained during the last match of the series against South Africa in the UAE earlier this month.

 

"Irfan appears to be out of the series against Sri Lanka as it starts on December 11 and he requires some time to recover from his injury," one official said.

 

The tall pacer apparently broke down in the T20 match after being selected for all the Tests, ODIs and T20 games against South Africa in the searing heat of Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi.

 

"Irfan is being monitored by our doctors but he has to rest for another four weeks," the official said.

 

The PCB was also told by its panel of doctors that even Umar Gul's fitness remains uncertain.

 

"Gul's position will be known on December 3 but he has been playing some domestic cricket since he underwent a rehabilitation process after undergoing a knee operation in Australia in May," one official said.

 

The selectors appear keen to have Gul available for selection for the Sri Lanka series after Irfan sustained the injury.

 

The board doctors have, however, cleared former captain Shoaib Malik and left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar for the upcoming Test and ODI series following their recoveries from finger injuries.