Samit Patel replaces injured Ansari for Pakistan Tests

Samit Patel replaces injured Ansari for Pakistan Tests: Surrey all-rounder Zafar Ansari has been ruled out of England’s forthcoming Test series with Pakistan in the UAE. Ansari was recently called up to the England Test squad for the first time after a fine domestic season in all three formats. Samit Patel the veteran all-rounder has been named as his replacement by the ECB. Ansari suffered a dislocated thumb injury playing for Surrey hours after earning his first international call up.

The young left arm spinner had hoped to recover in time to travel to the UAE on September 30 but, after advice from a specialist on Wednesday, he has withdrawn from the squad. Patel will now take his place in the 16-man party for the 3-Test series. The Nottinghamshire all-rounder has played in five games in the 5-day arena for England but the 30-year-old’s last appearance in the whites was in 2012 on a memorable tour when England won the Test series after 28 years in India.

Patel joins two other spin bowling allrounders in the tour party – Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid. He is a regular in the First-Class circuit, having picked up 237 wickets in his 163 appearances so far.

Commenting on the decision, National Selector James Whitaker said: “The timing of this injury, on the day his selection was announced, was particularly cruel for Zafar and he is naturally extremely disappointed to have to pull out of the tour. As a left-arm spinner and a middle-order batsman, Samit is a similar type of player to Zafar and his previous international experience, and in particular, experience of performing for England in sub-continental conditions will be an extremely useful asset to the squad in the UAE.”

England kick-start their campaign in the first Test at Abu Dhabi on October 13. The Test side are on a high after defeating Australia in the Ashes 2015 and will hope for an improved showing this time in the middle east. England were whitewashed 3-0 the last time they played Pakistan here in a Test series.