Injured Malik and Asif fly back to Pakistan

0 Comments | AFP, July, 2006

LONDON (AFP) — Injured Pakistan stars Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Malik have flown home from the tour of England as they each try to regain fitness.

Fast bowler Asif and opening batsman Malik both have elbow injuries and were among several leading Pakistan players who missed the first Test at Lord's, the opening encounter of the four-match npower series.

But while Pakistan tour manager Zaheer Abbas was hopeful Asif could still play a role in the Tests, he ruled Malik out although he was catiously optimistic that the batsman, who has played county cricket for Gloucestershire, could return in time for the one-day series starting in August.

"Asif and Malik have both flown home to Pakistan," Zaheer told AFP at Lord's on Saturday. "There is very little chance of...