Pak sends Rao Iftikhar to SA to bolster bowling resources

KARACHI: Pakistan selectors have decided to send paceman Rao Iftikhar to South Africa to boost the team's depleted bowling resources for the one-day series.   

"Iftikhar will be flying out on Wednesday to join the team for the last three one-dayers," Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman Ehsan Malik said on Tuesday.   

Pakistan, beaten by 164 runs in the first one-day international on Sunday, have had to send home injured pacemen Shoaib Akhtar, Umar Gul and Shabbir Ahmed during the tour.   

"Iftikhar is flying out as a cover as the team has faced several injury problems," the spokesman added.   

Pakistan are due to play the second of the five match series in Durban on Wednesday. Allrounder Azhar Mahmood flew out on Tuesday for the remaining ODIs after last playing for his country in February 2005 in a one-dayer at Sydney.   

Mahmood replaced Shabbir who has returned home with a groin injury after playing in just the Twenty20 international match last week.   

Saleem Altaf, the Director Cricket Operations said the board would be discussing the recent spate of fitness problems with its medical panel.   

"We are concerned with the World Cup coming up. We want to know how players have been cleared of one injury and complained of another one to be sent back home," he said.   

Altaf said a report had been sought from the board's medical panel on all the injured players and no risk would be taken for the World Cup.