Shoaib ruled out of India series

Pakistan pace spear-head Shoaib Akhtar has been ruled out of the forthcoming three-Test series in India, after failing to recover from a hamstring injury.

Shoaib suffered the injury last month during Pakistan’s tour of Australia, and thus missed the VB series. He is likely to regain full fitness only by 4-5 weeks, which means that he won’t be considered for selection for the squad, which is supposed to take place tomorrow (Saturday).

Shoaib has been in the spotlight for the last few weeks, as a result of accusations against him, of visiting nightclubs and talking to the media without permission, for which the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) not only warned but also fined him.

Shoaib was quoted as saying, “My decision to opt out is not linked to the fine or warning. It is an honest decision since I don’t want to go half fit to India.”

Shoaib has, however, expressed desire to play in the five ODIs against India scheduled after the Test series, by the time for which he hopes to be match-fit.