Akhtar eyeing Test comeback with New Zealand trip

KARACHI - Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will be fit in time to get in contention for a place in the Test squad for the tour of New Zealand later this year after his knee surgery in London last week.

Sources close to Akhtar told IANS Sunday that the pacer was treated by world famous knee specialist Andrew Williams in London and is now on a two-week rest after a successful surgery.

Akhtar will be fit to play international cricket within a month after undergoing rehabilitation process following the advised rest, sources said.

Akhtar will stay in London for rehabilitation and will arrive home in three weeks’ time.

Surgeon Andrew Williams has said that the pacer had a successful left knee surgery and the injury will not reccur for at least the next four years.

Williams, who conducted England all-rounder Andrew Flintoffs operation, supervised Akhtar’s surgery.

Akhtar may feature in final stages of the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy - Pakistan’s premier first-class tournament - after a month.

The enigmatic speedster wants to tour New Zealand and Australia where Pakistan will be playing Tests and One-day Internationals from November to next February. Pakistan will play a Test series in New Zealand and will then leave for Australia to feature in three Tests, five One-day internationals and a twenty20 game there.

Akhtar last played for Pakistan in the one-day series against Sri Lanka at home early this year but has since been ignored for national duty because of fitness-related issues.