Malik looks doubtful for 3rd Test too

Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik’s condition has failed to improve appreciably.

Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik’s condition has failed to improve appreciably. His November 26 ankle injury had him limping around ever since, and doctors put a preventive plaster cast on it only today. That is expected to come off on December 6, two days before the final Test in Bangalore. It obviously makes the skipper doubtful for that Test as well.

He will, however, stay on with the team, and no replacement has been asked for either.

There are many down in sick bay from the Pakistan squad, peek-ins from India too. Here is a lowdown.

VIRUS ATTACK

• The entire Pakistan team has been taking extra precaution— 12th man Abdur Rehman is the new entrant into sick bay (fever).

• Team masseur Malang has been laid low with similar symptoms.

• Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Misbah-ul-Haq and Salman Butt (also fever)

• Talat Ali and Sohail Tanvir (not feeling well, lookout!).

STAY AWAY

• Chief Pak selector Salauddin Ahmed has been wary of going near the players during this time of crisis and has been keeping a clear distance for fear of contracting a fever.

THE INDIANS

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• MS Dhoni paid a visit to the hospital with a suspect left index finer. Cleared of doubts.

• Zaheer Khan’s ankle and heel seemed to be playing up, but has been cleared also.

AND THEN THERE WAS…

• Samit Dravid, down with a fever. He is former skipper Rahul’s son.