Moin out of third Test
versus Kiwis

Pakistan captain Moin Khan on Monday ruled himself out of the third and final Test against New Zealand with a right knee injury.

Moin said the long-running problem had flared up again on the last day of the drawn Christchurch Test.

"I can't play. It would be too painful," he said. "I'll be out for six weeks. I was looking forward to this test and perhaps leading Pakistan to a series victory, but it's not to be."

Inzamam-ul-Haq will take over the captaincy on Tuesday. Pakistan lead the series 1-0.

Moin will be replaced behind the stumps by the uncapped Humayan Farhat, who made 74 in last week's three-day game against Wellington. He will join his younger brother Imran in the team. Opening batsman Imran made his debut in the first Test.

The series has already been blighted by injuries to both teams, with such major names as Chris Cairns, Daniel Vettori, Shoaib Akhtar, Saeed Anwar and Wasim Akram missing.

Pace bowler Mohammad Sami, meanwhile, could also miss the game with a shin complaint.

The 20-year-old, who took eight wickets on his debut in Pakistan's 299-run win in the first Test in Auckland, will undergo a fitness test before the toss on Tuesday. Medium-pacer Mohammad Akram stands by.

Moin added: "Sami will be a big loss for us.

"We like the look of the wicket and he could do some damage on that."

Mail Cricket Editor