December 02, 2007	Sunday	Ziqa’ad 21, 1428

KOLKATA, Dec 1: The woes of the beleaguered Pakistan camp mounted on Saturday with the news that young pacer Sohail Tanvir and team manager Talat Ali had become the latest casualties of a viral infection here.

The 22-year-old Tanvir, who took two expensive wickets in India’s first innings complained of sour throat and fever as the Pakistan team returned to the pavilion following the hosts’ declaration this afternoon.

Tanvir joined fellow pacers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami as victims of the fast-spreading viral fever which also affected middle-order batsman Misbah-ul–Haq last week.

The 57-year-old Talat, who first complained of sore throat and temperature during the afternoon session of the opening day’s play on Friday, was confined to bed at the team’s hotel after it became apparent he was too weak to come to the Eden Gardens on Saturday.

Malang Ali, the team’s masseur, also reported ill with the same viral disease on Friday. He needed medical help inside the dressing room. In his absence the touring side had to call upon a local masseur Sanjay Chakraborty, who had been with the Mumbai and Bengal teams.

Although Malang showed up at the ground on the second morning, Chakraborty, who only arrived in the Pakistan change room in the post-tea session on Friday, is expected to assist the touring team for the rest of this game.

Meanwhile, skipper Shoaib Malik’s ankle has been put under a plaster for at least five more days and he will undergo a fitness test on the 6th to know about his chances for the third Test in Bangalore, starting on Dec 8.