Pakistan rule out Gul replacement

The Pakistan team management in England has decided against calling up a replacement bowler for the injured Umar Gul, who suffered a hamstring injury during the second Test against the hosts at Edgbaston.

"We have two back up pace bowlers, Tanvir Ahmed and Wahab Riaz in the touring squad and either one of them can replace Gul for the remaining Tests," team manager Yawar Saeed told PTI.

Both Ahmed and Riaz have been with the team since the start of the tour. The Pakistan touring squad presently includes 17 players.

"The tour selectors will decide who will play but for now we are not asking for a replacement as Gul is also due to have another scan on August 18," Saeed said.

It would be known after the scan whether Gul can recover in time for the two Twenty20 and five one-day internationals against England next month.

"Presently, he has been advised rest for up to three weeks but we will know the correct position next week on how much more time his recovery will take," he added.

Gul is said to have ruptured a muscle in his thigh while bowling in England's first innings, although he batted freely, albeit with a runner, during Pakistan's second innings. Gul had also missed the ICC World Twenty20 and Asia Cup earlier this year due to injury.

Meanwhile, chief selector Mohsin Khan and limited-overs captain Shahid Afridi are due to fly to England during the third Test to finalise the limited-overs squad.