Talat Ali Allays Fears of Shoaib Akhtar Injury

Speedster Shoaib Akhtar gave some anxious moments to his mates over his fitness after the controversial bowler walked off the field in a practice match between Pakistan probables at a training camp in Karachi’s National Stadium on Monday.

Shoaib bowled three unsuccessful overs in the searing afternoon heat before going off, Cricinfo reported.

The express bowlers, however, returned later for another round, this time completing his four-over quota, although he received some stick from Salman Butt and Imran Nazir.

Team manager Talat Ali said Shoaib’s absence was due to dehydration and allayed fears of any injury worries.

"It was hot, very humid and he got dehydrated. We gave him water and time to recover. He was a little dizzy because of the dehydration but he was fine after a cold shower and lots of water," Talat was quoted as saying to Cricinfo.

Cricinfo added that Shoaib took the field initially with strapping on his left knee and, coupled with his absence from practice matches yesterday, led some to suggest he was carrying an injury.

"It's nothing serious," Talat said. "The strapping was only for support and nothing major. He was working out before as well and with the heat and the fact that he bowls so fast, it can happen. It's not a fitness issue at all. In our Abbottabad training camp [in June] he was the fittest guy there," the manager pointed out.