KARACHI, Feb 9: Pakistani bowler Shoaib Akhtar suffered a new setback in his battle to regain fitness for Pakistan's rapidly approaching tour of India when his trainers left the country Wednesday.

Pakistan's foreign fitness trainer Murray Stevenson, physiotherapist Daryn Lifson and national academy physio Grant Compton left for South Africa on a private visit just 16 days before Pakistan travel across the border.

The team's English coach Bob Woolmer also departed for South Africa for a knee operation, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) officials said.

"I am trying my level best to get fully fit but I am without a trainer," Akhtar admitted. He did not elaborate because he is forbiden from giving press statements pending PCB investigations against him.

However the 29-year-old also faces disciplinary action which may bar his travel to India, where Pakistan will play three Tests and five one-day games from Feb 25 in their first full tour.

"Pakistan would definitely need a fully fit Akhtar for the India tour because you can't beat India with spinners," former Pakistan captain Imran Khan said. "You need pace bowlers who can get a batting power like India out twice in a Test," he said.

"There is no doubt that Akhtar is not an easy player to handle, but if you make him a scapegoat every time the team loses, you will demotivate him," added Imran.

The committee may release its findings on Thursday, PCB sources said.

"Akhtar has submitted his explanation and the three-member committee will look into his answers before we decide what action should be taken," said PCB spokesman Abbas Zaidi.

Captain Inzamamul Haq and coach Bob Woolmer have strongly denied reports they don't want Akhtar for the India tour.

"Absolute rubbish to say the least," Woolmer said before his departure on Tuesday.

"What we need from Akhtar is to be fully committed, 100 percent fit, wanting to take the new ball, wanting to take the old ball, wanting to bowl the sides out in both the innings all the time.

"That's what we need from any bowler. If you look at Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath, you can't get the ball out of their hands. When a bowler can't do that, its a problem for the team because it leaves you with ten men," Woolmer said.

"Akhtar bowled well in the first two Tests but in the first innings. He was unable to come back, which meant his levels of fitness were lower than needed."

Woolmer added: "I won't say he deliberately let down the team but it's the fact that he is the strike bowler and we need to look at how he performs for Pakistan."-AFP