KARACHI, June 26: Pakistan were dealt a body blow when their strike bowler Umar Gul pulled up injured during the third over of India’s innings here on Thursday night. Umar bowled just eight deliveries before he came off the field while holding his side.

According to Pakistan team manager Talat Ali, the 24-year-old right-arm pacer had apparently suffered a rib injury and was immediately sent to the nearby Aga Khan University Hospital for further assessments.

“As a precautionary measure, we have sent Umar to the hospital for a check up on the rib injury. At the moment we are unsure of the exact nature of his injury,” Talat told reporters. “It is difficult to say now how long it would take for Umar to recover from latest setback. Let’s hope for the best.”

Umar’s replacement at the bowling crease Rao Iftikhar struck with the very first ball when Gautam Gambhir was brilliantly caught by Misbah-ul-Haq at wide slip for nine.

Umar, who remained out of cricket for more than a year because of stress fracture in his back in 2004, was unlikely to bowl in the rest of the match as India chased 300 for victory.