Shoaib to have surgery

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Akhtar

I am bowling at 90 miles per hour and thanks to Almighty Allah I am feeling no pain in my knees"

How about thanks to the wonders of modern surgery, modern medicine and modern coaching with input from physios, biomechanics folk and the like: I hope he's better at giving credit where it's due in post-match interviews!

[Wanderer]

Some of the Pakistan players are currently in a "condition camp" in preparation of their up-coming Indian tour.

Shoaib, who's been out of action since February with a knee injury, twisted his ankle during practise and has been advised to "rest" for a few days, before the start of the main training camp starting next week.

[Vrock]

I don't think it will be anything major, just a simple twist which tend to sort themselves out quite quickly. Corey Collymore twisted his ankle during the 5th ODI against India. He walked off the worst of it in about five minutes but you just have to be wary in not causing any long term damage.

[Wanderer]

So it's not something similar to McGrath's accident last year during the Ashes? Well, that's good news for Pakistan then. If a couple of days of rest will sort it out, then I suppose it's not that bad then..

[Captain]

Pakistan will have a bowling dilema in England. Naved ul Hasan is pushing for a place and Asif is certain to get a place leaving only one place open for another pacer, maning Hasan will likely miss out on an other test...

this is how I see it at this point

1. Imran Farhat
2. Shoaib Malik
3. Younis Khan
4. Inzamam ul-Haq*
5. M. Yousuf (asim Kamal)
6. Shahid Afridi (Faisal Iqbal)
7. Kamran Akmal+
8. Abdul Razzaq
9. Shoaib Akhtar (Naved ul-Hasan)
10.M. Asif (M. Sami)
11.Danish Kaneria



with the ones in parathensis part of team, but not starting

[Rachael]

Hasn't Razzaq has normally played at 6... with the 'keeper at 7 and 4 further bowlers? I appreciate tht Shahid Afridi's availability complicates matters... but would it be that much of a surprise to see that pattern continue (with Rana, Mohammad Asif and Shoaib Akhtar ALL playing).

[Captain]

I would agree with you and that was my original but Afridi is one you cant live without nor with so that complicates matters.

[Wanderer]

Shoaib Akhtar has been told he cannot bowl for three weeks and his selection for the tour of England rests on the recommendation of a medical commission, a senior Pakistan board official said on Tuesday.

"A medical panel of the board has examined his ankle injury and advised him against heavy training and bowling for next three weeks," Director of Cricket Operations Saleem Altaf told Reuters.

He conceded it did not appear possible for Shoaib to recover in time to play from the start of the tour which starts in the last week of June. The first of four tests against England starts on July 13 at Lord's.

If I was either Bob or Inzi, (or any other power-that-be) I'll be moving over to Plan B...

[Vrock]

A big loss and it is extremely unlucky that he has had injury after injury since he started his career.

If he could play in the last couple of tests but would be risking injury. Would Pakistan risk him for the tests or save him for the ODI's?

[Wanderer]

Right now it seems he will not be able to play the first test, maybe even the first 2 are in doubt...

He's not allowed to do anything for 3 weeks... Then he'll be re-assessed again. Then he'll start training again. Then he's fitness will be tested again..

This whole process could take another couple of weeks, I think.

Right now, I'm hoping Rana's injury scare is nothing more than that. A scare.