Shoaib to consult Australian surgeon

Karachi, Sept 19: Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has flown to Australia to consult the orthopaedic surgeon who operated Shane Warne a couple of years ago.

According to family sources, specialists in England could not diagnose the exact nature of Shoaib's injury in the knee. The paceman, who has been out of competitive cricket since April, has consulted the specialist who has advised him against surgery.

"He has been advised exercises," a family sources said, adding that Shoaib has already started training in Australia.

The sources said Shoaib was expected to be back in the next two weeks but his availability for the England series largely depended on his fitness.

Shoaib was initially under treatment in Nottingham, first for a side strain and then for knee.

A spokesman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said if Shoaib confirmed his availability, he will have to prove his fitness in a couple of warm-up matches against England or in the domestic first-class circuit which begins from Oct 3.