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Pakistan have put medium-pacer Shabbir Ahmed and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq on stand-bye following reports from South Africa that three of their injured squad members could be heading back home in the next few days.

A Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) official told this correspondent on Sunday that Shabbir and Razzaq could be sent to South Africa as replacements for injured fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, medium pacer Umar Gul and all-rounder Shoaib Malik ahead of the third Test.

However, he said that the final decision over the replacements would be taken on Monday in consultation with national selectors following a Pakistan team management meeting in Port Elizabeth.

Pakistan, currently looking for a series-levelling victory in the second Test in Port Elizabeth, are facing an injury crisis. Their top strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar has joined Gul and Malik on the injury list and there is a strong possibility that the trio might return home later this week.

“The team management would take a final decision on whether to send back the injured players soon and if it does release them, then we will have to send some replacements ahead of the third Test,” said the official.

Pakistan are to play the final Test against South Africa in Cape Town from January 26 and would later feature in five one-dayers and a twenty20 game next month.

“We would have a video conference with the team management and (chief selector) Wasim Bari if there is a request for any replacements,” said the official.

He said that the Board has already alerted Shabbir and Razzaq about the possibility of their inclusion in the Pakistani squad.

Shabbir, a talented medium pacer, was ignored by national selectors for the tour of South Africa even though he was available for selection after serving a 12-month ban for an illegal bowling action.

Razzaq was ruled out of the tour after suffering an injury during the home series against the West Indies last month. However, the medium pacer is fit now and can regain his place in the Test squad if needed.

Source:The News