NEW DELHI, Oct 9: Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar is hoping to extend his playing days by cutting back on One-day International appearances.

Along with Australia's Brett Lee, New Zealand's Shane Bond and England's Steve Harmison, the 31-year-old Shoaib is regarded as one of the sport's quickest bowlers but his career has been blighted by a series of injuries since his debut in 1997.

Shoaib missed the recent test series defeat in England due to ankle and knee problems and returned for the one-dayers, only to miss the final game of the series which ended 2-2.

“You get frustrated being out of cricket and watching your team on TV,” Shoaib told reporters on Monday.

“Only three or four 90-mile-an-hour bowlers remain. With the amount of cricket played today, expecting us to be fit all year is impossible.

“I have asked the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and my captain to play me more in Test matches and less in One-day Internationals.”

Shoaib, however, is seen as key to Pakistan's one-day fortunes in the Champions Trophy.

“I wish I could bowl just one day pain-free,” he said.

“Just one day, I ask God, in the last four-five years if I can bowl pain-free, but I know it is not going to happen.

“There is always a fear (of injury), there is always pain and trust me there is lots of pain there.

The bowler, who has taken 165 wickets in 42 Tests and claimed 208 victims in 133 ODIs, said he would attempt to substitute his express speed to take more wickets in future.

“I enjoy running in and bowling quick, but I'd rather take five wickets (in an innings) than bowl fast,” he added.

Shoaib said he understood the frustrations of New Zealand's Bond, who has also struggled to stay free of injury.

“I called Bond a while ago,” he said. “I told him 'just stay fit, it will be good for cricket'.

“People want to see the fast bowlers, especially in India,” he said.—Reuters