Karachi: Experienced Pakistan leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed could play in the Tests against England following a spate of injuries, captain Inzamam-ul-Haq said on Friday.
"The injuries to our main bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Rana Naved are a bit unsettling and we are thinking along the lines of balancing the attack by turning to Mushtaq for the Tests," Inzamam said.
Mushtaq, 35, has not played for Pakistan since October 2003 against South Africa.
He was included in the Test squad for last year's home series against England but did not play a match and was then appointed as a bowling consultant.
Mushtaq has been bowling well for his English county Sussex. "His form for them has been outstanding and he clearly relishes bowling in English conditions," Inzamam said.
"His experience could be invaluable for us." Mushtaq has taken 185 Test and 161 One-Day wickets and was a member of the team that won the 1992 World Cup.
Pakistan have lost Shoaib to an ankle stress fracture but Naved was named in the squad despite struggling with a groin injury.
Inzamam said rookie pace bowlers Samiullah Niazi and Wasim Khan had been called to the training camp in Lahore.
"We are trying them out to see if they can fit into the squad in case of emergency," he said.
Inzamam said Shoaib might still make the trip to England. "We have also asked our doctors to have another scan of Shoaib's ankle which he has rested now for a while and see if he can bowl again before June 25," Inzamam said.
"If he can bowl we are thinking of taking him along with the squad and allowing him to make a slow recovery even if he does miss the first Test."
Pakistan are due to play four Tests, the first of which starts on July 13 at Lord's, and five One-Day Internationals in England.
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