The injury-plagued Pakistan team heaved a sigh of relief on Sunday when fast bowler Mohammad Sami was declared fit to play the series-deciding third Test against India starting in Rawalpindi on Tuesday.

Sami, Shoaib Akhtar's new ball opening partner, was suffering from a "slight niggle" in the back but is expected to do duty in the decider.

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"He has a slight back niggle but that is normal with fast bowlers. It is not serious, and we are confident he will play  in the eleven on Tuesday," team manager Haroon Rashid said.

Fresh doubts over Sami's fitness were raised after the fast bowler did not bowl in the nest on Sunday but Rashid said his problem was related to food poisoning.

"He did not bowl in the nets today because he suffered from food poisoning early morning. But he is okay and is in the fray for the final Test," he said.

Sami's injury scare had hit hard an already depleted Pakistan bowling attack which is without Lahore Test hero Umar Gul, paceman Shabbir Ahmed and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq due to injuries.