English pacer Steven Finn ruled out of first Test against Pakistan

Abu Dhabi, October 12 - England fast bowler Steven Finn has been ruled out of the first Test against Pakistan through injury.

The 26-year-old is suffering from a stress injury to his left foot and will play no part in the opening match in Abu Dhabi, which begins on Tuesday. England will play three Tests against Pakistan.

Finn first felt pain in his foot after bowling in England's second warm-up match against Pakistan A in Sharjah four days ago - but was able to take a full part in nets in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

"It's a bitter blow for him. He bowled really well in that warm-up game, and over the last 12 months he's made huge strides back to where we'd like him to be. We'll monitor him, and hope he could be right for the second Test. But we'll have to wait and see," England captain Alastair Cook was quoted as saying by ecb.co.uk on Monday.

Cook also confirmed Finn was very much in contention to face Pakistan in the first match of the series, after impressing with figures of 4-16 against the second string .

"Absolutely, he was. His performance in that warm-up game was good," he added.

"After the warm-up game, he complained of a pain in his foot ... (then) yesterday he bowled pretty well in the nets, and got through. But obviously it's got worse."

(IANS)