KARACHI, May 18: Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Sami has ruled himself out of the two-Test series in the West Indies later this month in order to recover from a lingering foot injury. Last month, the 24-year-old had surgery to remove a cyst from his heel and admitted that he would not be fit enough to play in the series opener in Barbados on May 26.

“I have not played any proper cricket for a month and it would be impossible for me to regain match fitness in such a short space of time,” Sami said on Wednesday.

Pakistan’s bowling options have been severely disrupted by injury and paceman Shoaib Akhtar was not considered for the tour by selectors due to fitness doubts.

Young pacer Umar Gul is also out with a back injury that has kept him out of international cricket for the last year.

Sami missed the final two matches of a one-day series in India last month when he aggravated a heel injury that he had been struggling with since last year.

He underwent surgery in Pakistan and although doctors have removed the plaster and stitches from his foot, Sami said he had not been given permission to resume full training.

“I have started walking without support and the wounds have dried up but the doctors say I should not rush myself into training and bowling,” he added.

Pakistan are hosting England and India for consecutive three-Test tours from October before competing in the Asia Cup one-day tournament.—Reuters