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Shoaib Akhtar to rest before World Cup

Waheed Khan

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will be nursed through to the World Cup by the Pakistan cricket authorities, officials said on Tuesday.

"We want to ensure that all our bowlers including Shoaib Akhtar are not burnt out from fatigue or injuries," Pakistan cricket board (PCB) Chairman Tauqir Zia told Reuters.

"The World Cup is a major and long tournament and we want our best players to be available in top physical condition for it."

Zia said Akhtar and pacemen Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram should play in selected matches and get proper rest between matches.

Akhtar, 27, is being rested for the last three matches of the one-day international series in Zimbabwe after complaining of a niggling knee problem.

"The problem is not a serious one, the team manager has informed us. But Akhtar is being rested for a few matches so that he can make a complete recovery," PCB media manager Samiul Hasan said.

Pakistan will also play five one-day internationals and two tests in South Africa from December 2 before the World Cup.

"Akhtar is a key component in the team these days. And we expect him to play an influential role in the World Cup," Zia said. "Which is why he will be given rest between matches till the World Cup and the team management also agrees with this policy."

Akhtar known as the "Rawalpindi Express" has picked up 88 wickets in 25 Tests and 116 wickets in 71 one-day internationals. He was unofficially clocked at more than 100 miles an hour during a one-day international against New Zealand in Pakistan last April.

Zia said the team management had agreed that by giving all the bowlers a chance to rest between matches, it would also allow them to try out the rotation policy.

"The basic purpose of rotating players is that it gives rest periods to the seniors and allows exposure to some of the younger bowlers," he said.

Pakistan are due to announce a shortlist of 30 probables for the World Cup this Friday and the squad for the South African tour at the weekend.

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