Shoaib withdraws from England series

Shoaib Akhtar has withdrawn from Pakistan's Test series against England after specialists recommended further rest for injuries that prevented him playing for Nottinghamshire this summer.

The 25 year-old Rawalpindi Express needs a month of rest and recuperation after being treated by doctors in Australia.

He said: ``I am feeling pain in my shoulder but my knee and ankle are far better. It will take me another month to play at the highest level. I bowled in the nets on Friday but the pain has not subsided.

``It's very disappointing not to play for Pakistan in the Caribbean and for Nottinghamshire this year but I am hopeful that I will make up for the loss soon.''

``I committed mistakes by taking injections and playing, that aggravated my injury, but I played for my country,'' he said.

``I hope to play in England next year when Pakistan tour there and hope to play county cricket in 2002.''