Pakistan lose Adnan Akmal to injury

Pakistan suffered another injury blow in their ongoing Test rubber against Sri Lanka in the UAE after wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal was on Friday, ruled out of the remainder of the series with a broken finger.

The youngster suffered two fractures on the second finger of his left hand while taking a low catch on the third day of the first cricket Test in Abu Dhabi.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced that Sarfaraz Ahmed would be flying to Abu Dhabi to join the team before the second Test begins next Wednesday.

On the fourth day of the Test today, senior batsman Younis Khan kept wickets for Pakistan as Sri Lanka staged a strong comeback in the match.

The PCB had announced yesterday that experienced pacer Umar Gul will also return from Abu Dhabi as he had not made a complete recovery from the knee operation he had last May in Australia.

The PCB has still not announced a replacement for Gul, who has been advised to return home and continue his rehabilitation process at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore and also play some domestic matches.

Gul was rushed to join the Pakistan team in the UAE last month to play in the ODIs with critics expressing apprehension that it was not the right time to send the pacer as he was still recovering from his knee injury.

Former Pakistan captains Waqar Younis and Rameez Raja backed the decision to release Gul from the national team.

"It is a sensible decision that he should return home and play domestic cricket to regain full match fitness," Rameez said.

Waqar said that by sending Gul home the board had acted wisely because it was of no use to have too many players in the dressing room.

"I am happy that the right decision has been taken because Gul needs to play more first-class matches and at the NCA he will receive specialist care as well which will help him in his rehabilition process," Waqar added.