Pakistan's tearaway fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was on Tuesday ruled out of next month's tour of Sri Lanka after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in the left ankle.
Akhtar, who did not take part in any of the three one-dayers played so far against India, was found to have a stress fracture on the left ankle after he underwent scans late last evening.
The injury, which has been hampering the 30-year-old speedster since last October, flared up during the recent three-Test series against India.
Pakistan selectors have recalled Mohammad Sami in place of Akhtar but did not announce any replacement for Shahid Afridi, who has been advised two weeks' rest because of a rib injury, for the remaining two one-day matches against India.
Pakistan Cricket Board's Director (Cricket Operations) Saleem Altaf said the latest scans meant Akhtar would miss next month's tour of Sri Lanka during which Pakistan are slated to play two Tests and three one-day internationals.
"Every tour leading up to the World Cup is important as we want to win everything so that the confidence level of the boys is sky high when they arrive in the West Indies. And to achieve that goal, we need to have the best players to accomplish the task. In this background, it is a body blow for us that our strike bowler will not be available for the Sri Lanka tour," Altaf said.
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul Haq also said it was a huge setback to lose a bowler who was in great form.
"We needed Shoaib Akhtar because he was at the best of his bowling form. I think I saw him bowling so fast and sensibly after a long time. Moreover, he was disciplined and his commitment level was of the highest grade," Inzamam said.
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"I don't like to respond to these silly speculations but now since he has been diagnosed with stress fracture, all these rumours should be buried.
"If people think he was not being played to protect him from being called, well then I would like to ask them if he would never play again? If his action is not clean, which I don't agree and accept as he has been cleared by all those who matter, he can be reported whenever he returns to the arena. That can happen in England or in future series.
"Most of the things that are reported are far from reality and it hurts. I mean the latest theory that has surfaced is that he has fallen out with Bob Woolmer over the run-up issue. It's also rubbish. The team support staff was not at the Gadaffi Stadium a day before the third one-dayer but I was there and I think I enjoy some authority.
"Shoaib wanted to play but we had to decide whether to risk him by playing in Lahore or lose him for a longer period. It was a tough decision and we decided to protect his career instead of putting it at stake for the sake of just one match," Inzamam explained.
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