July 10, 2006	Monday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 13, 1427

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KARACHI, July 9: Uncapped left-armer Samiullah Niazi was on Sunday called up to replace fellow seamer Rana Navedul Hasan in the injury-hit Pakistan cricket squad touring England.

Wasim Bari, the chairman of selectors, told Dawn that Rana Naved has been ruled out of the entire series after doctors advised him to undergo surgery on his injured groin.

“We received the bad news last night when the team management informed us that Naved has been advised surgery by Prof Gilmour as the injury has failed to respond to treatment,” Bari said.

The 23-year-old Samiullah was the outstanding bowler in the last domestic season, and performed impressively during the EurAsia Cricket Series in Abu Dhabi where Pakistan ‘A’ won the title.

Bari added that Samiullah has been asked to join the squad at the insistence of Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq.

“We offered the tour selection committee a number of choices to replace the unfortunate Naved. However, Inzamam asked for Samiullah because being a left-armer he adds variety to the bowling department,” the chief selector remarked.

The withdrawal of Naved is the latest setback for Pakistan with the first Test of the four-match series just four days away.

Strike bowler Shoaib Akhtar’s prospects of featuring in later part of the series are slim since he is making slow progress in overcoming an ankle injury.

To add woes to the mounting injury-list, fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Sami sustained injuries during the drawn four-day match against England ‘A’ at Canterbury.

Asif is almost certain to miss the opening Test at Lord’s because of an elbow injury to his bowling arm.

Sami, on the other hand, was struck a painful blow on his knee while fielding and bowled just two overs in England ‘A’s second innings.