Pakistan Batsman Azhar Ali Doubtful for First England Test

Pakistan's key middle-order batsman Azhar Ali is doubtful for the first Test against England starting in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday because of an infected foot, team officials said Sunday. (Pakistan Pose New Spin Threat for England)

Ali, 30, suffered the infection during the Haj in Saudi Arabia last month. He played two of the three one-day internationals against Zimbabwe in discomfort before missing the final match.

Team manager Intikhab Alam said Ali would be assessed on Monday.

"At the moment Ali is in doubt for the first Test," Alam told AFP. "He is receiving injections to heal up the injury as the skin of his left foot has come off."

"Ali has not been able to train because he can't wear a shoe as it could extend his injury, so we will assess him on Monday before taking a final call." (Joe Root Braced for Spin and Sun Challenge Against Pakistan)

Since making his debut against Australia at Lord's in Pakistan's neutral-venue Test in 2010, Ali has featured in 44 Tests and scored 3,393 runs.

If he is ruled out there could be an opportunity for former captain Shoaib Malik to play his first Test in five years.

Malik was drafted into the Test squad as 16th member after showing good form with the bat in the 2-1 one-dayer series win over Zimbabwe last week. (England Positive Ahead of Pakistan Test Series)

The remaining two Tests in the series will be played in Dubai (October 22-26) and Sharjah (November 1-5). The teams will also play four one-dayers and two Twenty20 internationals.