Naved - a key performer for Pakistan

Seam bowler Naved has been receiving intensive treatment since suffering the injury playing county cricket.

But he has now been told he may require surgery to cure the problem and uncapped Samiullah Khan Niazi has been called up to replace him.

Samiullah could play in the first Test at Lord's because pacemen Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Sami are also injured.

"(Captain) Inzamam asked for Samiullah because, being a left-armer, he adds variety to the bowling department," said chief selector Wasim Bari.

Pakistan will certainly miss Naved, however, because he has been a prolific wicket-taker in English conditions since joining Sussex last year.

When he suffered the injury last month, Inzamam accused the club of bowling him "excessively".

But Sussex manager Mark Robinson responded by saying: "In terms of the volume of overs bowled he only averaged 16.5 an innings, which equates to two spells, hardly over-use. In one-day cricket he averaged just over eight overs a game.

"The captain and management at Sussex have always been aware of the value of Rana, not only to Sussex but to Pakistan, and we have done all we can to ensure he stayed fit and well during his time with us.

"At the time of his injury we immediately withdrew him from all bowling, the groin was scanned and we gave him the best medical attention possible."

Asif will almost certainly miss the Lord's Test with an elbow injury. The 23-year-old has been on the international scene for 18 months and has made an immediate impact in Test cricket.

Sami still has a chance of playing on Thursday after he was hit on the right knee while fielding during Pakistan's draw with England A at Canterbury.