Pakistan captain rues loss of stars

Pakistan captain Moin Khan has admitted his side was struggling to come to terms with a series of injuries ahead of the first Test against New Zealand in Auckland on Thursday.

Wasim Akram and Azhar Mahmood will leave New Zealand on Thursday to head home after their injuries -- to leg and groin respectively -- were deemed too serious for them to be considered for the three Test series.

Opening batsman Saeed Anwar -- also suffering with a groin complaint -- was supposed to head home as well, but officials now believe he will be fit for the second Test in Christchurch next week.

"The absence of players like Wasim and Saeed makes it difficult to come back," Moin said.

Pakistan go into the Test having lost the one-day series 3-2 and capitulating to the New Zealand A team by an innings and 54 runs.

The good news for Pakistan is that all rounder Abdur Razzaq is feeling well again after coming down with an illness that saw him admitted to hospital.

Inzamam ul-Haq, injured 10 days ago, also looked fit on Wednesday, but did not take a full part in training.

Moin said the pitch looked good for spin and he would probably go with both Saqlain Mushtaq and Mushtaq Ahmed, but Pakistan are struggling for a pace battery with Wasim out and Shoaib Akhtar limping back home last week.

But Waqar Younis is available as is youngster Mohammad Sami.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said concern over the fitness of fast bowler Daryl Tuffey had evaporated, but a decision on his final fitness would not be made until the morning of the Test.

Fleming said New Zealand would probably go into the match with three fast bowlers and one spinner and hinted off-break bowler Paul Wiseman would get the nod.

Possible teams (from):

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Mark Richardson, Matthew Bell, Mathew Sinclair, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Adam Parore, Paul Wiseman, James Franklin, Daryl Tuffey, Chris Martin, Brooke Walker.

Pakistan: Moin Khan (captain), Imran Farhat, Misbah-ul-Haq, Abdur Razzaq, Inzamam ul-Haq, Yousuf Youhana, Saleem Elahi, Saqlain Mushtaq, Mushtaq Ahmed, Waqar Younis, Mohammad Sami, Fazl-e-Akbar.

Mail Cricket Editor