The Pakistan vice-captain, who missed Monday's training session because of a suspected hamstring injury, was pretty fluent during practice as he kept hitting the bowlers in all directions for more than half an hour. Later, Misbah joined his teammates in the outfield for a brief fielding session.

"I feel fine," he told Arab News after the training session. "They have been suspecting that I've pulled a hamstring but thankfully that's not the case. It was just a minor muscle problem and it's completely okay now," added the senior batsman.

Misbah, 36, has established himself as the backbone of Pakistan's batting line-up with a string of impressive outings in the lead up to World Cup 2011. And in the World Cup, Misbah has hit back-to-back fifties against Kenya and co-hosts Sri Lanka.

In Pakistan's thrilling 11-run win over Sri Lanka last Saturday night, Misbah limped his way to an unbeaten 83 and had to undergo scans on Sunday. He was later cleared by the doctors and is now available for selection in Pakistan's next World Cup game against minnows Canada here at the R Premadasa Stadium on Thursday.

Intikhab Alam, the Pakistan manager, told this correspondent that Misbah did the right thing by asking for a runner during the game against Si Lanka.

"He (Misbah) went for a runner the moment he felt the pain. He did the right thing because there was a chance that he could have injured himself had he went on without a runner in that match," said Intikhab, a former Pakistan captain.

But in spite of regaining his fitness, Misbah is likely to be rested for the match against Canada.

Waqar Younis, the Pakistan coach, said that the team management will decide the line-up for the game on Wednesday (today) but is already thinking about resting Misbah.