LAHORE, March 16: Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar said on Thursday that recent surgery on both of his knees would not hamper his career, adding that he was set to return in two months’ time.

The 30-year-old had his knees operated on in Australia last month after being diagnosed with a degenerative disease. He missed Pakistan’s recent one-day series against India and was ruled out of the Sri Lanka tour.

“I have started light training and will be back in action on Pakistan’s tour to England late June,” Shoaib said.

Pakistan will play four Tests and five One-day Internationals in England this summer.

Shoaib said that his operations went smoothly and vowed they would not shorten his much talked about long bowling run-up.

“The arthroscopy went well and now I have started upper body training and will start light cycling and swimming from next week. The operation won’t curtail my run-up and won’t have any affect on my bowling.”

However, he said that he hoped to play only in selected matches in future.

“The Australian surgeon David Young feared the worst initially but after the operation he told me that my knees are stable and I can still play five to six years,” Shoaib said.

“Now I want to play selected matches so that I can contribute to the best effect whenever I am on the field,” said Shoaib.—AFP