LAHORE, June 7: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is a doubtful starter for the England tour after being advised three-week rest by a South African medical expert.

Shoaib has a stress fracture in his left ankle, according to the reports received on Wednesday.

The fast bowler was declared unfit on May 31 by a PCB medical panel during the conditioning camp at the Qadhafi Stadium.

Chief selector Wasim Bari had already announced that only a match-fit Shoaib would be considered for the coming tour.

The PCB medical panel also examined the scan reports but failed to detect the actual injury and decided to seek opinion from foreign experts.

Agencies add: “Since he has been advised three weeks rest for his swollen ankle and is not bowling he will not be considered immediately for the tour,” Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) director Saleem Altaf said.

“He has to start bowling first and be passed fit and he can join the team later on,” he said.

Shoaib is nursing an ankle injury and had a knee operation in Australia in February.

The 30-year-old, who has 165 Test and 199 one-day wickets, has not bowled since January when he played in the home series against India.He will be examined by the PCB medical panel later this month and they will evaluate his chances of joining the squad in England.

The board is awaiting reports from specialists in South Africa and Australia to find out when Shoaib can resume bowling.