Shoaib hopes to be fit for ODIs

Shoaib Akhtar: 'It is disappointing to be sitting in Lahore while the team is in India' © Getty Images

Shoaib Akhtar, who pulled out of the Test series against India due to a hamstring injury, is hoping to recover in time for the one-day internationals beginning on April 2 at Kochi. Akhtar has set a target of three weeks to fully recover from the injury.

"It is so disappointing to be sitting in Lahore while the team is preparing for the Test series in India. But there is nothing much I can do about the injury except try to regain my fitness as soon as possible," Shoaib said in an interview to The News. "I have been training regularly with the board's South African trainer Grant Compton and he says I should be fit in two-and-a-half weeks' time. As soon as I am fit I will play in a match to test out my fitness before making myself available for the one-dayers."

Wasim Bari, the chief selector, had asked Akhtar to participate in a match to prove his fitness before being considered for selection for the six one-dayers. Pakistan's bowling line-up has been weakened with the absence of Shoaib and the pace attack largely dependent on Mohammad Sami and Naved-ul-Hasan.

Akhtar, whose commitment towards Pakistan cricket was questioned, said he'd give the series his best if selected for the ODIs. "If I can make it for the one-dayers in India I can assure you I will give more than 100% for the team. Playing against India and their batsmen is always a big challenge and I love to do well against them."

Akhtar holds an impressive record against India with 15 wickets in 4 matches at 27.66. His most renowned spell came in Kolkata in the Asian Test Championship in 1999, when he bowled Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar with consecutive late-swinging yorkers. He claimed eight wickets and Pakistan won by 46 runs.