LAHORE, Feb 17: Pacemen Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul appeared before the PCB medical board on Friday to seek further advice about their fitness. Shoaib has fractured his ankle while Gul is facing back problems. The fitness problems had ruled out Shoaib for six weeks, including all five ODIs against India in the ongoing series and next month’s tour of Sri Lanka.

However, Umar, who missed the last ODI in Multan after facing back pain in the third one in Lahore, is fit for the last ODI to be held in Karachi on Sunday, according to a member of the medical board. But Umar has less chances as he is not included in the 15-member list of probables.

Incidentally, Omar’s back pain has recurred after almost two years, at the same venue (Lahore) and against the same team (India).

After playing in the second Test against India in Lahore (April, 2004) which squared the series 1-1, Umar missed the third in Rawalpindi due to back pain. Shahid Afridi has also been advised two weeks rest after the third ODI due to his rib pain.