Shoaib hopeful of regaining fitness for World Cup

KARACHI, Jan 31 (Reuters) Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is hopeful of playing in the World Cup in March after being forced to return home from South Africa due to injury.

Shoaib tore his hamstring during his four-wicket haul in the second test at Port Elizabeth earlier this month, on his comeback after almost a year.

''I was willing to take injections and bowl in the second innings of the test, but doctors told me I should not take the risk of a further injury,'' Shoaib told reporters today.

''I was told to return to Pakistan and recover from my injury to prepare for the World Cup which is my main target now.'' The 31-year-old strike bowler, who has a history of breakdowns, was also diagnosed with fluid in his knee.

He was left out of the original squad for South Africa because of poor fitness, but said he was 80 percent fit.

In South Africa, Shoaib was involved in an altercation with coach Bob Woolmer, which was caught on television, at the start of the second day's play in Port Elizabeth.

He said the issue had been resolved.

''There was an incident and it occurred because of a misunderstanding,'' Shoaib said. ''Woolmer didn't realise how serious my injury was and I reacted strongly to his queries. But it is now sorted out.'' Rated among the fastest bowlers in the game, Shoaib has taken 169 wickets in 43 tests and 208 scalps from 133 one-dayers.

The Port Elizabeth game was Shoaib's first test since he played in a home series against India in February last year Since then, he has undergone a knee surgery.

Shoaib was given a two-year ban in November after testing positive for the steroid nandrolone but a Pakistan Cricket Board appeals tribunal cleared him of doping offences.

The World Cup takes place in the West Indies from March 13 to April 28.

Reuters PDS DB2047