RAWALPINDI, Pakistan, Feb 27 (AFP) - Pakistan's chances of reversing their cricketing fortunes Sunday received a cruel blow when pace king Wasim Akram was ruled out of the series against Sri Lanka.
Akram suffered a groin injury after bowling just 13 deliveries on day one of the first Test which began Saturday.
''He suffered a groin injury and it can only heal in two weeks so he is feared out of the series,'' Pakistan's team doctor Riaz Ahmed told reporters.
Pakistan are also without 'Rawalpindi Express' Shoaib Akhtar and allrounder Azhar Mahmood, who are both nursing injuries, and included extra batsman for the Rawalpindi Test.
''He was feeling well last night but in the morning his injury worsened and he only has a outside chance of playing the third Test in Karachi,'' Ahmed said.
Akram, 32, was not available for comment.
The cricket star is just 17 wickets away from 400 wickets in Test cricket and 51 wickets shy of the world record of 434 wickets held by Kapil Dev of India.
Akram's tally of wickets in 92 Tests is 383 and he is also the only bowler with more than 400 wickets in limited-over games.
The recent injury leaves a shadow of doubt over Akram's career as he is reportedly having problems with The Management of Pakistan's cricket board.
Earlier this month he stepped down as captain, surprising many in cricketing circles.
Akram said he wanted to concentrate on beating the wicket record and spending time with his family.
The second Test is scheduled in Peshawar from March 5 and the third in Karachi from March 12.
''A groin injury heals up only with rest and swimming and Wasim is doing that,'' Ahmed said.
Akram relinquished the captaincy after Pakistan were defeated 3-0 against Steve Waugh's Australia in the away Test series last month.
Pakistan were also beaten 2-0 in the finals of the tri-series in Australia in February. Akram also missed the last two Tests of the series against Sri Lanka in 1995-96 which Pakistan lost. |
