Selectors Opt for Cook As Vaughan is Left Sweating

The wait goes on. Despite promises to the contrary, Michael Vaughan won't know for at least another 24 hours the true extent of his knee injury.

Vaughan, who twisted his knee in his team's final warm-up game before the first Test in Multan, was expecting to find out today whether he would miss the Test or even have to return home. However, it is understood work is still ongoing to assess the injury and no definitive decision will be made until tomorrow at the earliest.

Vaughan's participation in the first Test, which gets under way on Saturday, nonetheless remains in serious doubt - although there is still some hope among the England management that he could play some part in the three-Test series or limited-overs matches to follow.

England coach Duncan Fletcher had been hoping to get a definitive answer today after scans taken locally were compared with previous ones in England.

In the meantime, England have called up Essex youngster Alastair Cook as batting cover for Vaughan and Andrew Strauss, who is expected to be allowed home during the third Test for the birth of his first child.

Left-hander Cook, a former England U19 captain, had emerged as one of the leading contenders for a call-up when Vaughan twisted his knee on Monday as Rob Key and Owais Shah both require surgery this winter.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney said: "Alastair had an outstanding season for Essex last summer, is a member of our National Academy squad this winter and we believe he has the potential to succeed at international level."

Cook now expects to fly out to Pakistan tomorrow morning. "Obviously I'm thrilled and just looking forward to joining up with the squad," he enthused. "I heard yesterday there was a possibility and then found out just before the announcement this morning.

"It is a great opportunity to go out there and learn about what Test cricket is like. I think Owais Shah or Rob Key would have gone if they were fit but this is just a great opportunity and it is nice to get the call. I hope the experience will help my game and I can learn a lot from the great players out there."

England have also made additions to their one-day squad by adding veteran spinner Shaun Udal - who is currently with the Test party - and Worcestershire seamer Kabir Ali.