ISLAMABAD, Feb 8: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is to return to action in the second One-day International this week, Pakistan captain Inzamamul Haq said on Wednesday.

“Sohaib was rested to help him recover from an ankle injury after what was a hard Test series for him,” Inzamam told reporters.

The paceman from Rawalpindi sat out Monday’s first one-day game at Peshawar which Pakistan won by seven runs under the Duckworth-Lewis method of scoring.

“It is also our policy to give players a rest so that the reserves also get a chance from time to time as we build for the World Cup,” the skipper said.

In what promises to be an intriguing contest, Pakistan and India square off on Saturday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium after an extended break because of Muharram.

Some of the Pakistan cricketers had nets at the stadium on Wednesday while the tourists went sightseeing to Taxila.

Meanwhile with businesses closed for Muharram, a big rush for tickets is expected when the banks open on Friday.

Agencies add: Inzamam said every player, including himself, would be rested when possible under the rotation policy and that reserve players would be given a chance in the five-match series.

“Basically we have around 18 to 20 players in mind for the World Cup and we want to try out this rotation policy with them,” he added.

Inzamam conceded the team still needs to resolve a problem with their opening batting and reserve wicket-keeper.

Meanwhile, injured off-spinner Harbhajan Singh will remain with Indian cricket team for rest of Pakistan tour even as reinforcement Ramesh Powar joins the squad as 16th member.

“Harbhajan is not going back and will stay back for rest of four One-day Internationals, while Powar will join as 16th member,” Indian team’s media manager G.S. Walia said on Wednesday.

Harbhajan took a knock on his index finger two days before first One-day International in Peshawar on Monday and missed the match. Meanwhile, Pakistan cricket authorities will ask English counties to avoid giving Pakistani players too heavy a workload this season before their tour.

“We have a full tour of England from mid June to September and we don’t want our players who are signed on by counties jaded or overworked before the series,” a Pakistan Cricket Board official said on Wednesday.

Pakistan play four Tests and five One-day Internationals in England, in addition to a number of side matches. Before visiting England, they will also tour Sri Lanka from March 12 to play two Tests and three one-dayers.

Leg-spinner Danish Kaneria and pacers Rana Navedul Hasan and Mohammad Asif have signed to play for Essex, Sussex and Leicestershire respectively this season.

Senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf has had an offer to play for Derbyshire in the early part of the season.

Captain Inzamamul Haq said he was also worried about players’ workloads before the tour.

“I am especially concerned about Kaneria because last season he also bowled a lot of overs for Essex and the board had to write to them. We want him fresh for the Pakistan team,” he said.

Inzamam said Kaneria might be released to play for Essex during some of the side games.

“But he remains our most potent bowler and we don’t want him joining us having bowled too many overs for Essex. The same thing applies to Rana and Asif, who will be required to do lot of bowling for Pakistan.”

The PCB has still not given approval to Kaneria to play for Essex but Inzamam said it might work to Pakistan’s advantage for players to go to England.

“In a way it is also good they go and start playing in England and get used to the conditions before our tour starts,” he said.

Kaneria said he was aware of his priorities but hoped he could keep everyone happy.