Akhtar ruled out of first ODI

Shoaib Akhtar has been ruled out of the first one-dayer against West Indies in Abu Dhabi due to a calf injury.

"He pulled his left calf muscle during yesterday's training session and will be rested for today's match," Pakistan Cricket Board's media manager Raza Rashid said.

Yawar Saeed, the team's manager, maintained that it wasn't a serious blow and there was still hope that Shoaib could take part at some point in the series. "We are not treating it as an injury, it's just a calf muscle pull and we will reassess his injury on Wednesday and then on Thursday before deciding when he can take the field," Saeed told AFP.

"Coach Intikhab Alam is clear that only a 100 percent Akhtar will play because we have an important series against India in two months time and we will not risk any further injury for Akhtar," said Saeed.

Shoaib last played an ODI a year ago in Gwalior on the tour of India. He was selected for the three-match ODI series in Abu Dhabi after impressing in the domestic Pentangular Cup, picking up nine wickets in two games for Federal Areas.

On Tuesday, West Indies captain Chris Gayle had talked up Shoaib as Pakistan's main threat. "He is always the key factor," he said. "He is a wicket-taking bowler in a strong Pakistan pace attack."

Despite the absence of Shoaib, Pakistan will not be short of fast bowling options. The other quick bowlers in the squad are Umar Gul, Sohail Tanvir, Iftikhar Anjum and Abdur Rauf.