LAHORE: Pakistan suffered a serious blow on Wednesday with experienced batsman Mohammad Yousuf ruled out of the limited over series against South Africa next week, team manager Intikhab Alam said.
The 36-year-old ruptured a muscle in his right leg during training last week and Alam said the injury was serious. “Yousuf has informed us of the gravity of the injury and, since its a second grade tear of the muscle, he will not be able to play in the limited over series but he will be available for the two Tests that follow,” Alam told AFP.
The loss is also grave in the sense that Yousaf was also in great for coming into the training camp as he had just lead his domestic team to the National T20 Championship.
Pakistan play two Twenty20, five one-day internationals and two Tests against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates. The series starts with Twenty20 matches, the first scheduled in Abu Dhabi on October 26. After the second T20 the following day, the teams will play five one-day matches followed by two Tests — one each in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
younisAlam said Yousuf’s experience will be missed. The veteran batsman has so far played 90 Tests, 287 One-Day Internationals and three T20 for Pakistan since making his debut in 1998.
