Injury-hit Pakistan turn to religion for solace

Lahore:  The Pakistan team management in South Africa has turned to religion, offering 'Sadqa' (Alms) to the needy people in Cape Town after a raft of injuries to its key players hit the visitors ahead of the second Test at Newlands.

The team management offered Sadqa following injuries to opener Nasir Jamshed, pacer Junaid Khan and wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed ahead of the second Test beginning February 14.

Muslims usually sacrifice a goat and distribue its meat among needy people as Sadqa to ward off evil and other problems.

"Even at the start of the tour, the management had to send back experienced opener Taufiq Umar and middle-order batsman Haris Sohail because of serious injuries," the source said.

He said the team manager, Naved Cheema and other officials decided to sacrifice a goat as sadqa in Capetown.

"The goat was sacrificed and the meat was distributed among the muslim community there."

Jamshed had hurt his ankle during the practice session and went for an MRI, causing a major injury scare in the camp. Sarfaraz got hit by a ball on his nose and Junaid had a skin problem.

"Nasir has been cleared of any major injury problem but Junaid is still in doubt for the second Test," he said.

Pakistan lost the first Test in Johannesburg by a huge margin of 211 runs.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan team also showed its attachment and respect for the former coach, late Bob Woolmer, in Capetown.

Woolmer had died a natural death in the team hotel during the 2007 World Cup in West Indies and his sixth death anniversary falls next month.

"The Pakistan team specially invited Woolmer's wife and son for a tribute at the long room of the Centurion stadium to express their respect for the late coach," the source said.