Shoaib pulls out of Test series

Indian fans will not get to see Shoaib Akhtar in action during the Test series © Getty Images

Shoaib Akhtar has pulled out of the forthcoming three-match Test series against India. The Press Trust of India reported that he announced: "I aggravated my injury a couple of days ago and now it seems that I will take four to five weeks to recover and play any competitive match."

Shoaib has been at the centre of controversy for a while now, with his team-mates reportedly questioning his commitment and the Pakistan Cricket Board fining him. Such controversy will finally cease to hound the Pakistani side, but only until the end of the Test series.

"I am certainly not a candidate for the Tests," said Shoaib, "but if I recover by the time the one-day series begins, I will inform the Cricket Board. They can then select me if they feel the team requires me." He added that the main reason for his withdrawal was that he did not want to risk a mid-series breakdown, like the one he had undergone against Australia.

Inzamam-ul-Haq, Pakistan's captain, said that Shoaib's absence would be a loss for the team. "It's a terrible blow for us," he said, "because it's difficult to go on a tough tour like India without your premier bowler. But I think Shoaib is at a stage in his career where he is the best judge of his fitness. I hope he makes speedy recovery and makes himself available soon."