Shoaib blames himself for ankle injury

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

London, July 23 (UNI) Blaming his own over-enthusiasm for a second stress fracture in the ankle, Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar said the injury was a result of bowling too early after the initial breakdown and insisted that he would not make the mistake of rushing back even if it meant missing the entire Test series against England.

''I still can't set a comeback time for Pakistan, though I know the third or fourth Test have been mentioned. I feel fit and just want to bowl but after what happened last time I know I need to listen to advice from the experts,'' Shoaib said in an interview to a website.

''The fact I missed the start of the England tour was disappointing but it was my own fault because I was so keen to make the tour that I bowled too early at the training camp and opened up my fracture again. It was a case of too much too soon,'' he added.

Shoaib, however, insisted that he has recovered from the injury now but would wait for an expert assessment before bowling again.

The pacer revealed that he would play some more club cricket in England before making his international comeback.

''I'm pleased to report that I'm feeling good, my stress fracture has healed, there is zero pain. The Pakistan team management are trying to arrange a couple of club matches for me in the Birmingham League. I don't know who I will be playing for and when those matches will be as I am leaving all that in the hands of Bob (Woolmer) and my trainers,'' he said.

The mercurial fast bowler said he would be faster on his return as he has worked hard on making his shoulders stronger and has learnt to put less pressure on his troubled ankles.

''My shoulders are strong and I think I will be a yard quicker than before. I am lighter on my feet and that will help my bowling rhythm,'' Shoaib said.

Shoaib said the knee surgery in Australia has worked wonders for his overall strength and he would not make the mistake of playing with injuries after the experience in the home series against England, which he played with injured knees.

''One thing is for certain and that is when I do play I expect to bowl faster and better than when I bowled against England in Pakistan last year. I wasn't fit enough then and I paid the price.

''Although I bowled fairly quickly at times, I was bowling with injections in my knees and eventually that took its toll on my ankle. The knees are fine now after the surgery in Australia. I'm feeling strong now,'' he added.

Having learnt from the past, Shoaib insisted that the preparations have been much more patient and sensible this time around, which would help him in remaining fit for bigger tournaments like the Champions Trophy in India in October and the World Cup in West Indies next year.

''My trainers know that it is not just about the England series.

There is also a Champions Trophy, other tours and obviously the World Cup. They don't want me to be breaking down again. I want to be playing for another five years yet so they are looking after my interests and Pakistan's interests,'' he explained.

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