Improving Shoaib fails to convince Pakistan coach

Pakistan pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar's lingering hopes of playing in the first test against England appear to be over.

Pakistan coach Richard Pybus suggested on Monday that Shoaib, who missed the start of the tour after failing a medical test, would not be ready for the start of the Lord's encounter on Thursday.

Shoaib, clearly short of match fitness following a stomach problem and a lay-off with injury, has only played one match and was not selected for the final warm-up against Kent.

Pybus said: "He was a bit rusty at Derby last week but he's been better here in the nets.

"I'm not convinced he is in the reckoning for Lord's but it's great just to see the kid run in."

Shoaib missed Pakistan's previous tour to New Zealand with a leg problem and has also had to remodel his action after being reported for a suspect action.

Pybus said: "The illness took a hell of a lot out of him, but it is important that he is working hard and got a smile on his face again.

"He has had a long time out and, on an emotional level, he has had quite a tough time.

"I think he is starting to feel good."

If Shoaib is left out at Lord's the new ball could be handed to Mohammad Sami.

Pybus added: "He's only 20 and still raw, his action isn't 100 per cent conditioned yet, but it is his potential we have got to manage."

Sami sent down more than a dozen no-balls against Kent, but Pybus said: "We spoke to him about it, but we don't want to go into technique and stride patterns too much, as it will blow the kid's head apart if we are too technical."

Mail Cricket Editor