Pakistan have suffered a blow ahead of the second Test against England in Dubai with the news that stalwart batsman Azhar Ali has been ruled out as he is yet to receive his UAE visa.

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The Pakistan ODI captain returned home after the death of his mother-in-law and his absence will heap further pressure on an already under-performing Pakistan side.

Azhar has been Pakistan’s best number three batsman in Test cricket over the last five years and did not feature in the series opener due to a foot infection sustained during the Zimbabwe series.

A PCB official confirmed that Azhar’s visa has been requested but the delay will almost certainly rule him out of the second Test.

“It’s impossible that Azhar will be able to take part in the second Test beginning tomorrow in Dubai because his visa hasn’t arrived,” a PCB official confirmed to Sport360.

“He may join the team tomorrow or later but would not be in contention to play this important second match. We tried hard but the rules for getting a UAE visa have become stricter and require at least three or four days to process.”