Shoaib Akhtar out of home series against England

Pakistani pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar on Saturday ruled himself out of the forthcoming home series against England, saying it would take him another month to get fully fit.

"I am feeling pain in my shoulder but my knee and ankle are far better. It will take me another month to play at the highest level," Akhtar, who returned home from Australia two days ago, told AFP. Akhtar was treated by specialists in Perth and Sydney. England's cricket team is due to start its Pakistan tour on Monday, playing three Tests and the same number of one-day internationals.

"I bowled in the net Friday but the pain has not subsided," Akhtar said.

The 25-year-old pacer, dubbed the Rawalpindi Express, has been plagued by injury problems this year. "It's very disappointing not to play for Pakistan in the Caribbean and for Nottinghamshire this year but I am hopeful that I will make up for the loss soon," Akhtar said.

Akhtar lost a lucrative contract from the English county after he failed to play a single match from last May due to a rib injury. "I committed mistakes by taking injections and playing, that aggravated my injury, but I played for my country," he said.

"I hope to play in England next year when Pakistan tour there and hope to play county cricket in 2002," he said. Apart from fitness woes, Akhtar's career has been marred by controversy about alleged throwing.

The Pakistani bowler was suspended by the International Cricket Council early this year when New Zealand match referee John Reid reported him for an illegal bowling action.

He was later cleared to play in the one-dayers and then in Tests. Akhtar hit the limelight during last year's World Cup when he was tipped to cross the 100-mile per hour barrier with his deliveries, a record yet to be achieved in international cricket.

Mail Cricket Editor