Malik doubtful for Final Test

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik is a doubtful starter for next week's final Test against India at Bangalore.

Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik is doubtful for next week's final test against India after his injured ankle was put in a cast on Saturday evening.

HT Image

Malik hurt his left ankle while playing soccer after the six-wicket defeat in the first test, which ruled him out of the ongoing second game in Kolkata.

"The plaster is expected to be removed on December six," a Pakistan team spokesman told Reuters on Sunday. The final test begins on Dec. 8.

The visitors have been beset with fitness troubles.

Pacer Umar Gul, who missed the first test, was ruled out of the rest of the series with back trouble while quicks Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami started the second test after being down with viral infections.