Asif and Malik fly back to Pakistan

[Vrock]

According to Sky, Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Malik have both flown back to Pakistan to receive treatment on their injuries.

Malik is out of the series completely.

Asif might return for the final test.

This is a big loss - two front-line bowlers (Asif and Rana) out for the whole series, one (Akhtar) missing at least half of it.

[Vrock]

Here's a link to the cricinfo article.

Rao Iftikhar Anjum the medium pacer has been drafted in.

Taufeeq Umaq is in for Malik.

Things don't get any better with injuries for Pakistan.

There's basically only Kaneria left of the front-line bowling attack - this will really test the strength in depth if either Sami/Gul became injured.

[greg]

The Pakistan players are falling like the England ones did in India.

[adamberry]

Pakistan should have enough depth in their batting line-up to counter the shortcomings of the bowling attack.

It's a feeble line of thinking I know, but at least Pakistan will be able to make out the hundreds of runs they could concede because of their inexperienced line up.

The only problem is there's probably going to be a lot of drawn matches... Hopefully the bowling will be able to make a match of the series.

[keydee]

Razzaq to miss tour game against Northamptonshire


Pakistan are now facing further fitness problems with allrounder Abdul Razzaq suffering from a back problem following the first Test at Lord's

[Vrock]

I'm not sure how severe the problem will be as his absence might just be precautionary and he might just need some rest. However, I think the loss of him to the pace bowling department would be a much bigger loss than either Sami or Gul. His control was excellent and this is shown in his superior scorecard to either of the quick bowlers.