Woolmer doesn't rule out Shoaib

Rain put paid to any hopes Shoaib Akhtar had of another bowl at Shenley © Getty Images

Bob Woolmer has refused to rule Shoaib Akhtar out of the final Test against England, at The Oval, but the paceman remains doubtful after he was denied another chance to bowl following the wash-out of Pakistan's match against West Indies A at Shenley.

Following yesterday's draw, the two teams were due to face each other again but heavy showers in the South East of England caused the game to be called off before the scheduled start. It means Shoaib is well short of the amount of bowling Woolmer had earmarked before he'd be considered for an international return.

"We saw enough of Shoaib yesterday [when he took 1 for 59 off 11 overs] to hold on to him and we'll make a decision later on in the week as to whether we play him or not," Woolmer told PA Sport. "We're erring on the cautionary side. He did look very fit yesterday but obviously short of match practice but overall I thought he looked very good.

"The plan had been for him to bowl at least 30 overs for him to be ready. Everything happens for a reason and maybe this is a sign that he is not ready to play in a Test match. But it's not just up to me, there's the captain involved and a whole medical team as well, not to mention Shoaib himself. I'll go away and talk to them and then we'll decide."