Pakistan's batsmen are not as badly afflicted as the bowlers, but Shoaib Malik - an opener and off-spinner - will probably be ruled out unless his elbow problem clears up overnight.
The middle order is the heart of the team, with Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf and Inzamam-ul-Haq all ranked in the top 10.
Once the opposition have disposed of that adhesive trio, their bowlers are usually so tired that Afridi can come in and wreak merry hell.
Kamran Akmal, the wicketkeeper, is also capable of blistering strokeplay, as he proved by scoring consecutive one-day centuries against England last winter.Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer: "There is a re-examination on the 28th and the seriousness of the injury will only emerge then. It could turn out to be a week's rest or it could turn out to require surgery."If Naved does miss out, the favourites to replace him are Samiullah Niazi, a left-arm fast bowler, or leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, his erstwhile Sussex team-mate. The upshot could be that Pakistan's attack is led by 23-year-old Mohammad Asif, a man with five Tests and a short stint with Leicestershire under his belt. Their first match is a one-day international against Scotland, to be played in Edinburgh tomorrow.
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