Pakistan sweat on Shoaib

Shoaib Akhtar has not bowled for five months due to injury

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is likely to miss the start of the tour of England due to an ankle injury.

Shoaib suffered a stress fracture of the ankle last December that has not fully healed.

He initially played on but has been out of action since February and has undergone surgery to both knees in the meantime.

It could now be a further six weeks before he plays again, leaving him a doubt for the first Test against England at Lord’s, which starts on July 13.

Pakistan’s selectors will discuss whether to include the 30-year-old in their party to travel to England.

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer said: “The original stress fracture has not healed and he is likely to be out for four to six weeks.

“Obviously we would like him to be fit but we don’t want to bring him back too soon. He has not bowled for five months.”

Woolmer insists Shoaib’s rehabilitation has been handled correctly but admits he does not know why the bone has not repaired.

He added: “He has been working hard at the academy here in Lahore but it just hasn’t healed.

“There is nothing we can do about it but we will be trying to find out why it hasn’t healed.”

Shoaib was the top wicket-taker in Pakistan’s Test series victory over England before Christmas.

Pakistan’s only other worry ahead of their trip to England is a groin injury to seamer Rana
Naved-ul–Hasan sustained while on duty for Sussex.

The county, however, rate the problem as minor and his participation is unlikely to be affected.