Akhtar hopes knee surgery would help prolong his career

LONDON - Controversial Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is in London to meet Dr Andrew Williams, who treated English all-rounder Andrew Flintoff, with the hope that the specialist surgeon would help him prolong his cricketing career.

While Akhtar’s career appears to be almost over, the bowler himself is hoping that surgery on his left knee would end his woes and help him restart playing competitive cricket.

“I am just so excited and optimistic that a world-leading knee surgeon like Andy Williams is going to take care of my knee.I hear that he is like an artist with knees and that his expertise is second to none. It is a great comfort that Andy is taking on my treatment,” Akhtar told cricinfo.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has however, denied paying Akhtar’s medical bills.

Akhtar said he has been eagerly waiting to get into the national squad and be a part of the team for a long time.

He hoped that the knee operation might help him play till the 2011 World Cup or even after that.

“Although I may not have played as much as I should have, the good part is that I am still very fresh and have a great deal more to offer Pakistan.I am looking to play at least as far as the 2011 World Cup and hopefully even further,” Akhtar said.

The Rawalpindi Express hasn’t played much for Pakistan for the past two and half years due to fitness and disciplinary issues. Akhtar, who has taken 178 Test and 223 one-day international wickets, recently played in a domestic tournament in a bid to get back into the national team.(ANI)