Latest Akhtar injury hits Pak plans
Thursday, 13 November 2008
ABU DHABI, Nov 12 (AFP): Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will miss the first one-day match against the West Indies here today (Wednesday) after pulling his left calf muscle during a practice session Tuesday night.
Team manager Yawar Saeed said the latest setback in the 34-year-old bowler's injury-prone career was not serious.
"We are not treating it as an injury, it's just a calf muscle pull and we will reassess his injury Wednesday and then Thursday before deciding when he can take the field," Saeed told the news agency.
The second and third matches of the three-game series will be played Friday and Sunday.
Saeed said no replacement has been sought and fast bowler Abdur Rauf will take Akhtar's place in the team for the first match.
Team manager Yawar Saeed said the latest setback in the 34-year-old bowler's injury-prone career was not serious.
"We are not treating it as an injury, it's just a calf muscle pull and we will reassess his injury Wednesday and then Thursday before deciding when he can take the field," Saeed told the news agency.
The second and third matches of the three-game series will be played Friday and Sunday.
Saeed said no replacement has been sought and fast bowler Abdur Rauf will take Akhtar's place in the team for the first match.