Injured Shoaib makes waves

Pakistan express bowler Shoaib Akhtar spoke the words New Zealand did not want to hear when he declared himself fit for the third one-day in...

Pakistan express bowler Shoaib Akhtar spoke the words New Zealand did not want to hear when he declared himself fit for the third one-day international match here today.

Although the five-match series is locked 1-1, Pakistan are on a high after their lop-sided victory in the second match at Queenstown during the week and New Zealand need to strike back fast if they are to have any confidence in the later matches.

Akhtar has missed both one-day matches after being hit in the groin while batting in practice without a protector, but he could not hide his recovery this week when he was seen bouncing across the waves on a jet-ski.

Pakistan coach Javed Miandad said Akhtar would undergo a further fitness test before the match began but he was optimistic there would be no problems.

“He still has a problem but I’m sure he will be fit enough to play. It’s up to him,” Miandad said.

And Akhtar told reporters on arrival here that he was ready to play, words that stung a New Zealand side already smarting from his 11 for 78 haul in the recent second Test which gave Pakistan both the match and the Test series.