Pakistan wait on Umar

Kamran Akmal's fate will depend on his brother's finger injury

Last updated: 13th March 2011  

Pakistan wait on Umar

Umar Akmal: struggling

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Pakistan will make a late decision on whether Umar Akmal will be fit to take over wicketkeeping duties from his brother Kamran Akmal in Monday's World Cup Group A clash against Zimbabwe in Pallekele.

Umar Akmal, 20, has been unable to train since Thursday because of a finger injury.

Kamran Akmal had been tipped to lose his place following his dreadful glovesmanship in the defeat to New Zealand, when he twice handed a life to Ross Taylor, who went on to make an unbeaten 131.

"We haven't taken a decision (on Umar Akmal) yet," Pakistan manager Intikhab Alam told The News.

"The thing is that he bruised his right index finger two days back and it is painful which is why he can't wear the keeping gloves."

Intikhab admitted that if Umar Akmal fails to recover, then Pakistan would have to stick with Kamran Akmal. "In such a scenario, we won't have any other choice," he added.

Opener

Asad Shafiq is set to replace Ahmed Shehzad as opener for the game.

Aside from that 110-run defeat to the Black Caps last time out, Pakistan have won their other three games in the tournament against Kenya, Sri Lanka and Canada and just need a win on Monday to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Zimbabwe still have a faint chance of making it through to the last eight, despite losing three of their opening four matches, but need to beat Pakistan to stay alive.

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