Steven Finn ruled out of England’s first Test against Pakistan due to injury

Steven Finn has been ruled out of England's first Test against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi due to injury.

The fast bowler had put himself firmly in contention to start the series opener by taking four wickets for just 16 runs in the final warm-up game against Pakistan A.

But he has suffered a stress injury to his left foot and will now not be fit to play in the first Test, which starts on Tuesday.

England captain Alastair Cook said: "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."

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

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

"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."