Shoaib may miss rest of county season

Islamabad:

"Rawalpindi Express" Shoaib Akhtar might have to miss the rest of the county season with Durham after it was learnt that his rib cage injury was more serious than anticipated. The speedster told the Pakistan daily The News that he has been advised two weeks' rest by the doctors after a second bone scan of his injury showed a definite stress fracture in his rib. "I will have another examination after the rest period and let us see how it goes," Shoaib said. Shoaib said that though doctors had told him that the healing process of his stress fracture would take place naturally, he was not feeling comfortable as yet. Although Shoaib was unwilling to speculate on his chances of playing for Durham, who are reportedly paying him over Rs eight million for the entire season, sources close to him said that he had already informed the county management that they should start looking for a replacement. The 28-year old has been saddled by injuries and one of them caused him to terminate a county contract with Nottinghamshire a couple of years back. (PTI)