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| June 09, 2006 | Friday | Jumadi-ul-Awwal 12, 1427 |
Shoaib targets Headingley comeback
LAHORE, June 8: Shoaib Akhtar, the world's fastest bowler has set his sights on regaining full fitness in time for third Test against England at Headingley, starting on Aug 4.
Shoaib has been told to rest his ankle injury for up to six weeks - ruling him out of first two games.
The 31-year-old will not have long to prove he is ready for Headingley, which follows straight after the second Test.
But he said: “I still feel no pain and can jog for hours. I will do my best to recover to at least play two Tests.”
Shoaib took 17 wickets to help Pakistan beat England 2-0 on home soil in their Test series last year.
But he has not played international cricket since January, after undergoing surgery on both knees.
He is frustrated at his extended absence, saying: “I carried ankle injury from the series against England but I continued to play.
“Even after the operations I was feeling well before I twisted the ankle earlier this month.”
Coach Bob Woolmer is prepared for life without his pace spearhead.
“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.
“It is very disappointing for us but we have coped without Shoaib in recent past and will have to do so again. He has been working hard at academy in Lahore but original stress fracture just hasn't healed. We will be trying to find out why,” he said.—Agencies
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