Malik ruled out of Bangalore Test

Shoaib Malik hasn't recovered from his ankle injury © AFP

Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan captain, has been ruled out of the final Test against India in Bangalore. Malik hasn't recovered from the ankle injury he suffered during training after the loss to India in the first Test in Delhi.

Malik, who missed the Test in Kolkata, consulted a orthopedic surgeon in Bangalore, who advised him five days' rest. Younis Khan, the team's vice-captain, is expected to lead the team in Malik's absence.

The positive for the visitors is that there are no other injury concerns in the team, which was confirmed by Ehsan Malik, the media manager. Pakistan had been plagued by injuries and illnesses before the previous Test in Kolkata, with spearhead Shoaib Akhtar not at 100% fitness during the Test, and Umar Gul ruled out of the series a day before the Test with a back strain.

This time around Pakistan also have back-up in case of an injury to their key bowlers, with both Yasir Arafat and Rao Iftikhar Anjum sent to India as cover.

Pakistan need a win in the Test, which begins on December 8, to square the series.