Pallekele : Umar Akmal's finger injury has lessened the chances of him replacing brother Kamran as Pakistan's wicketkeeper in the match against Zimbabwe on Monday in Pallekele.
Though the injury to Umar's right index finger is not thought to be serious, it is unlikely now that the management will risk using him behind the stumps, allowing Kamran to probably retain his place in
the XI despite his horror show in the 110-run loss to New Zealand on Tuesday.
the XI despite his horror show in the 110-run loss to New Zealand on Tuesday.
Umar picked up the knock in fielding practice on Thursday at the Asgiriya stadium in Kandy, when he also kept wickets for a while. He sat out the practice session on Friday at the same venue, with his finger in strapping. According to manager Intikhab Alam, scans and an x-ray revealed no damage but no risks were taken in putting him through a practice session.
In the immediate aftermath of the New Zealand game, captain Shahid Afridi said they would consider using Umar as a wicketkeeper after Kamran fluffed three chances, including missing centurion Ross Taylor twice in three balls when he was on 0 and 4. Since then, despite criticism from all quarters, Pakistan have spoken of the need to back Kamran though they've stopped short of confirming his place in the XI.
