Under-strength Pakistan received further blow on Wednesday when frontline paceman Junaid Khan was ruled out of the ODI and two-Test series against Australia after injuring his knee in practice.
Pakistan are already without off-spinner Saeed Ajmal who was last month suspended from all international cricket for an illegal bowling action.
Last week all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez suffered a hand injury which forced him out of the limited-overs series.
Pakistan lost the only Twenty20 match by six wickets in Dubai on Sunday and started the three-match one-day international (ODI) series with a 93-run defeat in Sharjah on Tuesday.
Junaid, 24, twisted his knee in practice and, after an MRI scan, was advised to rest for up to six weeks, team manager Moin Khan said.
“Junaid injured a cartilage in his knee during nets on Monday and after an MRI he has been advised a four- to six-weeks’ rest,” Moin said.
“He will receive treatment back home,” said Moin. “It’s another big blow to us as he is one of our best bowlers in one-days and Tests.”
Pakistan face Australia in the second ODI in Dubai on Friday, a third in Abu Dhabi on Sunday followed by a two-Test series in the same two cities.
