Summary Gul returned to cricket after eight months due to knee injury, but injured his left tendon
ISLAMABAD: (AP) - Fast bowlers Umar Gul and Bilawal Bhatti have been ruled out of the remaining three one-day internationals against New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates.
Gul returned to limited-overs cricket after eight months due to a knee injury, but injured his left tendon during Pakistan s three-wicket win against the Black Caps in the first ODI last Monday.
Bhatti, who didn t compete in the first two ODIs of the five-match series, split his webbing during practice.
"With fitness issues ruling them out for the duration of the next three ODIs, both Gul and Bhatti are being sent back home to go through rehabilitation," chief selector Moin Khan said in a statement on Saturday.
Fast bowler Anwar Ali and leg-spinner Yasir Shah will replace Gul and Bhatti for the last three matches of the series, which was leveled by New Zealand 1-1 with a four-wicket win in the second game on Friday.
"The inclusion of all-rounder Anwar Ali will strengthen our pace department while Yasir Shah has performed very well in recent matches," Khan said.
Captain Misbah-ul-Haq is also doubtful for the third game of the series at Sharjah on Sunday after pulling his left hamstring at the same venue on Friday night during fielding.
However, Misbah has been retained in the squad until the Pakistan team management receives the captain s MRI report.
"Despite fitness issues dogging many key players, it still remains a pretty strong side," Khan said. "I am positive that it would perform to its potential in the three remaining ODIs."
Team:
Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Haris Sohail, Umar Akmal, Sarfraz Ahmad, Shahid Afridi, Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, Anwar Ali, Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Mohammad Irfan.
