Malik doubtful for second Test

KOLKATA—Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik is doubtful for the second test against India starting on Friday after failing to recover from an ankle injury sustained while playing soccer.
Malik twisted his left ankle during a soccer game after his side’s six-wicket defeat in the first test in New Delhi on Monday.
After a scan on Monday the Pakistan management were optmistic that Malik would play but his ankle was still heavily strapped on Wednesday and he did not take part in practice.
“He’s nursing an ankle injury. It will take time,” Pakistan manager Talat Ali told reporters. “He’ll have a fitness test tomorrow.”
Ali said Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who took six wickets in the first test, was recovering from a viral infection. Akhtar stayed in hospital overnight after complaining of fatigue caused by fever.
“He has recovered very well,” Ali said. “Hopefully he will be at practice tomorrow.” Fast bowler Umar Gul has also recovered from the back injury that forced him out of the first test.
Security has been increased after police said they had received an e-mail from a little-known Islamic outfit threatening to disrupt the game.
Indian fast bowlers RP Singh and Sreesanth will undergo fitness Tests in Kolkata ahead of the second Test against Pakistan which begins on November 30.
“RP Singh and Sreesanth have been asked to be in Kolkata and their fitness will be assessed by John Gloster,” BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah told PTI. “An update on their injuries would be given to the board by Gloster. I don’t know anything more on the subject presently.”
Both RP and Sreesanth missed the first Test in Delhi, which India won by six wickets, due to injuries. RP was suffering from an oblique abdominal strain - an old injury which he aggravated during the one-day series against Pakistan. Sreesanth, who sustained a shoulder injury in the last ODI in Jaipur, met an orthopedic surgeon in New Delhi and was given a set of drills. It was understood that he was advised to undergo surgery, and he had also been in touch with an ayurvedic practitioner in Coimbatore.
“Ishant Sharma will also be in Kolkata as a cover but would rejoin the Delhi Ranji Trophy squad if he does not find a place in the second Test XI,” Shah said. Sharma was called up as cover before the first Test but was subsequently released for Delhi’s match against Mumbai after Munaf Patel was selected ahead of him.—Agencies