Misbah’s England prep cut short by injury

LAHORE: A calf injury to Pakistan Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq has ruled him out of the ongoing National One-day Cup, which had been one of his final opportunities for competitive cricket before the tour to England in July 2016.

He may yet get the chance to find form with the Pakistan Super League (PSL), where he plays for Islamabad United, scheduled for February.

Misbah was due to play his second match for Sui Northern Gas Private Limited (SNGPL) against Peshawar on Tuesday, but now he is travelling back home to Lahore to gauge the extent of the damage.

“I am not sure how serious the injury is, but I have been advised at least two weeks rest,” he told ESPNcricinfo.

“I am undergoing an MRI scan and the result will further reveal the level of injury. I am disappointed that I won’t be able to carry on with the ongoing one-day tournament.”

Injuries have been rare in the 41-year old Misbah’s career. The most recent occurrence was in December 2014, when he missed the third, fourth and fifth ODIs against New Zealand in the UAE.

He returned to lead Pakistan in the World Cup, and retired from one-day internationals at the end of the tournament.

Misbah had intended to sign-off from Test cricket as well following the recent series against England, but at the request of the PCB decided to play on.

He has kept himself game ready since then by playing in the Quaid-e-Azam trophy, Pakistan’s premier first-class competition, and even turned out for Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League.

Pakistan do not have any Test series lined up in that time and the domestic season is about to end as the PSL begins in February. Misbah has said he is open to playing English county cricket, but has not received any offers yet.

Pakistan are scheduled to tour England for four Tests from July 2016, and then Australia for three Tests in the 2016-17 season.