Uncapped Surrey all-rounder Zafar Ansari's England debut could be in doubt after he was taken to hospital on Tuesday with a hand injury hours after getting his first Test call-up.
- England pick uncapped Ansari in spin strong squad for Pakistan Tests in UAE
The 23-year-old was named in England's squad for the three-Test series against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates.
The left-armer, who injured his bowling hand in a CountyChampionship match against Lancashire, was the third spinner in the 16-man team alongside Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid.
Moeen could be used as an opening batsman with captain Alistair Cook, although uncapped Alex Hales has also been included, despite failing to impress in the one-day international series against Australia.
There was no place, however, for opener Adam Lyth or Gary Ballance, both deemed to have failed during the Ashes Test series against Australia that England won 3-2.
Batsman James Taylor won a Test spot after some impressive performances in the one-day international series against the Australians.
Surrey director of cricket Alec Stewart said there was "some doubt" about whether Ansari would be fit to play for England.
"It didn't look very good. He was in a lot of pain in the dressing room," Stewart quoted as saying by the BBC.
"What should have been a day of celebration for Zafar, we are now hoping he will be OK. The way he was, there must be some doubt.
"He dropped a catch stood at cover point. The ball came out of the sun, he saw it late and it hit him hard on the left thumb. He is not in the greaTest shape."
The first Test starts on Oct. 13 in Abu Dhabi, followed by matches in Dubai (Oct. 22) and Sharjah (Nov. 1).
A four-match ODI series and three Twenty20 matches follow.
