March 15, 2006	Wednesday	Safar 14, 1427

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LAHORE, March 14: Paceman Shoaib Akhtar has been advised two months rest after arthroscopy of his knees in Australia early this month, according to a report of an Australian doctor received by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Dr David Young did the arthroscopy of Shoaib.

PCB Director Cricket Operations, Saleem Altaf, said that though he received the medical report, he did not have any contact with the bowler.

Shoaib arrived back home from Australia on Friday. Next day Saleem left for India with the PCB chief Shaharyar M. Khan to finalize Asia’s joint bid for the 2011 World Cup.

The future of the bowler depends on the results of the arthroscopy.

“The PCB has to provide Shoaib best possible treatment and now it is up to him to take care about his injury during the period of rest,” Saleem said.

Shoaib, who impressed with his performance in the back-to-back home series against England and India, missed out all five ODIs against Rahul Dravid’s team due to fitness problems.

The bowler had been complaining about his ankle pain but later it was detected that his knees also had problems and needed arthroscopy.