Shoaib Akhtar to return to Pakistan

Shoaib Akhtar will take no further part in the VB Series because the Pakistan Board wants to ensure his fitness in time for next month's tour of India. He was told to return to Pakistan after the board made its decision yesterday.

A press release by the PCB stated that Shoaib would be "placed on a specific fitness rehabilitation regime so that he operates at optimum capacity against India". Shoaib sustained an injury that affected his back and upper legs during the Test series against Australia, after which he was ordered to take rest.

Shoaib's frequent injuries have been been the subject of much attention, not all of which has come from the game's followers. Last year, after the series against India - in which Shoaib injured himself - a high-level inquiry was held in Pakistan over the team's performance against India, and Shoaib's commitment was questioned.