Shoaib on course for third Test
Shoaib Akhtar is on course to be fit for the third Test against England, at Headingley, after recovering from the stress fracture to his ankle that has ruled him out of the early part of the tour
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He is currently working with Warwickshire as he continues his rehabilitation and is expected to play a couple of games for them before his international return.
"[Shoaib] had a meeting with the team physiotherapist and trainer in England yesterday and they reported he was physically strong now and looking good for a comeback in a week's time," the PCB director Abbas Zaidi told Reuters. "They feel he needs to play one or two games to get back to full match fitness and then should be available for the third test."
"Obviously he is an important member of the side and the team management is very keen to have him back as soon as possible," Zaidi added. "His pace gives the team that extra edge."
However, Shoaib himself is still not setting any dates for his return. "I still can't set a comeback time for Pakistan, though I know the third or fourth Tests have been mentioned," he told Bigstarcricket.com. "I don't feel that is up to me because if it was I would be playing tomorrow and running in hard again.
"I feel really fit and just want to bowl but, after what happened last time, I know I need to listen to my trainers. One thing is for certain and that is when I do play against England I expect to bowl faster and better than when I bowled against them in Pakistan last year."
He is being very careful about not rushing his return after previously breaking down again after pushing himself too hard. "I wasn't fit enough then and I paid the price. "I'm looking forward to attacking the England batsmen and not giving them any time to settle.
"They [the medical staff] don't want me to be breaking down again. I want to be playing for another five years yet so they are looking after my interests and Pakistan's interests."
Shoaib has been out of action since February when he underwent a knee operation in Australia before a reoccurrence of his ankle problem leading into the England series.
Pakistan have been beset by injury problems on their current tour, with Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Shoaib Malik ruled out of all the Tests and Mohammad Asif injured until at least the third. Younis Khan also missed the opening Test at Lord's but has returned to lead Pakistan in their current tour match against Northamptonshire.
The second Test starts at Old Trafford on July 27 with the third, at Headingley, beginning on August 4.
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