Taufeeq Umar ruled out of SA series

BY : Agence France-Presse
Pakistan suffered another blow ahead of their forthcoming series against South Africa when opener Taufeeq Umar was ruled out for three months due to a knee injury, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said Friday.

Taufeeq suffered an injury to his left knee and a recurrence of an old injury in the right knee, PCB doctor Riaz Ahmed said.

"He requires two weeks of complete rest and will then be operated on," he said. "It will take another 10 weeks for complete recovery."

Taufeeq, who is also likely to miss five one-day series matches against New Zealand in November, played the first two Tests in an on-going series against Bangladesh before hurting his knee during net practice a day before the third Test started in Multan on Wednesday.

The 22-year-old opener hit a career best 135 against South Africa during Pakistan's 2-0 loss away from home last year.

The South African team arrives in Pakistan on September 22 for three Tests and as many one-day internationals.

Pakistan, however, hopes fast-rising pace bowler Mohammad Sami gets fully fit before the South African series.

Sami twisted his ankle last month and missed the series against Bangladesh.

Friday, September 05, 2003.
source : © UAEcricket.com.