April 5, 2006	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 6, 1427

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LAHORE, April 4: Speedster Shoaib Akhtar, who has been undergoing rehabilitation process at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) after his knees' operation, is absent for the last five days. To regain fitness after the operation, Shoaib was strictly advised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to go through the rehabilitation process to be supervised by trainer Grant Compton at the NCA instead of his private doctor Tauseef Razzaq.

PCB Director Cricket operations Salim Altaf said on Tuesday that Compton reported to him about Shoaib's absence.

According to another report, Shoaib has been suffering from the throat-infection and has left for Islamabad.

He said that the PCB was desiring to get Shoaib fit before the important forthcoming tour of England and for that purpose the bowler's own cooperation was most important.