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Saeed Anwar fails fitness test

Opener Saeed Anwar said on Thursday he will not join the Pakistan cricket team for the current series in the West Indies after failing a fitness test.

Anwar, 31, is recovering from orthoscopic surgery to his right knee, which also ruled him out of the one-day tournaments in Sharjah and the West Indies.

''I am very disappointed to learn that I will not be going to the West Indies. I think it was my last chance to play there,'' Anwar said.

Anwar made his international debut in Pakistan against the West Indies 11 years ago but has never toured the West Indies.

''When I will look back at my career, I will definitely regret never playing cricket in the West Indies,'' he said.

A spokesman for the Pakistan Cricket Board said: ''Saeed Anwar still feels the pain in his knee. It would not be advisable to risk his career by sending him half fit. We are now hoping that he regains fitness for the Asia Cup which follows immediately after the West Indies tour.''

The Asia Cup starts on May 28 in Bangladesh, and will also include defending champions Sri Lanka and India.

The second cricket Test starts in Bridgetown, Barbados, next week. The first Test at Georgetown, Guyana, was abandoned as a draw after rain washed out the last two days of play.