Shoaib unlikely for fourth ODI

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has not fully recovered from an injury and is unlikely to play in the fourth one-day international against New Zealand in Christchurch on Sunday.

Akhtar is still suffering from an injured thigh sustained last week in Napier. The injury kept him out of the third match in Wellington on Thursday.

Pakistan lead the five-match series 2-1 after wins in Auckland and Wellington and a loss in Napier.

Akhtar did not take a full part in practice at Jade Stadium on Saturday. He bowled in the nets for a while, though not at full pace, and then adjourned to the stands with team medic Tauseef Razzaq.

Moin Khan, the Pakistan captain, said after the 28-run victory in Wellington the combination which played in that game was the best available and he would be reluctant to change it.

That sentiment was reiterated on Saturday.

"I'm not keen to make any changes. Akhtar is not 100 percent fit and I don't think we will take any chances with him."

Khan said he felt quite confident about winning the series.

"We are getting the feel of it now and I believe we will win the series by winning tomorrow (Sunday).

"Our batting was good in Wellington and I was particularly pleased with the form shown by Imran Nazir and Saleem Elahi, and Yousuf Youhana getting into some form was great."

New Zealand have the services of big all-rounder Jacob Oram, who is back after his ankle injury in Napier.

Pace-man Chris Martin has been dropped so Oram can ease himself back into the longer version of the game in readiness for the three Tests which start in Auckland on March 8.

Andre Adams, the big-hitting all-rounder of West Indian extraction is retained in the squad and it will be a toss-up between him and Oram who will be 12th man.

Mail Cricket Editor