Shoaib Akhtar has been taken to hospital complaining of fatigue caused by a fever after Pakistan arrived in Kolkata ahead of the second Test against India which starts on Friday.

"He was suffering from fever and got very tired after arriving here from New Delhi," a team official told Reuters. "So he has been taken to hospital, probably to be put on a drip." However, he isn't expected to stay more than a couple of days and the management are confident he will recover in time for the Test.

Shoaib impressed during the first Test with six wickets, including four in the second innings, but couldn't prevent India taking the opening contest. He isn't the only fitness concern for Pakistan as they aim to bounce back with Shoaib Malik, the captain, trying to shake off an ankle injury he picked during a game of football after the match.

There is better news about Umar Gul who has overcome the back problem which kept him out of the New Delhi Test. "Gul will be available for selection," said the official. "His scan report was seen by the Pakistan medical board and it has cleared him." Gul will put pressure on Mohammad Sami who was expensive and wicketless last week.