The New Nation - Internet Edition

BBC online

Leading Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been sent to hospital suffering from fever and exhaustion three days before the second Test against India.

It is the latest concern for Pakistan who have skipper Shoaib Malik nursing an ankle injury suffered during a game of soccer after the defeat in Delhi.

Batsman Misbah-ul Haq is recovering from a fever and throat infection.

But seam bowler Umar Gul has recovered from a back problem which kept him out in Delhi and is available for Calcutta.

Injury-prone speedster Shoaib took six wickets in the opener, his first Test appearance since January.

While he was Pakistan's best bowler in Delhi, Misbah was their most effective batsman with scores of 82 and 45.

Pakistan will be desperate to have both men fit as they bid to stop India winning their first home series against their neighbours since 1979-80.

Younus Khan and Mohammad Yousuf are the likeliest men to step in if Pakistan require a stand-in captain, but the PCB is confident Malik will be fit to play.