Injured Akhtar out of ODI series

Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar [ Images ] has been ruled out of the remainder of the one-day series against India [ Images ] after he failed to recover from an ankle injury that prevented him from playing in the first two games.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq [ Images ] told a news conference on Sunday that Shoaib had bad bruising on his ankle bone and had been advised to rest for four to six weeks to make a complete recovery,

The five-match series is tried at 1-1 with the third contest taking place under lights in Lahore [ Images ] on Monday.

"Obviously Shoaib's forced absence is a big setback for us in this important series but he didn't play in the first two games and his absence should motivate the boys to raise their game," Inzamam said.

"Shoaib underwent a fitness test this afternoon but failed. As he has not played since early this month, we are confident he will make a complete recovery for the tour of Sri Lanka [ Images ] in March."