PTI
 
Karachi, Jun 8: Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is likely to miss the entire tour of England following a recurrence of the hairline fracture he suffered on his ankle late last year.

The fracture was revealed in a medical report by a South African orthopaedic, a PCB official said.

"It's a bad news for Shoaib, that's all I can say at this stage," PCB Director of Board Operations Abbas Zaidi said today.

"We have received Dr. Hastings' findings. It says Shoaib has a recurrence of the hairline fracture he suffered late last year. There is swelling and he requires at least five weeks to resume bowling," Zaidi said.

The Pakistan cricket team is slated to leave for England later this month on a two-and-a-half month tour during which it will play four Tests and five one-day internationals. The first Test begins at Lord's on July 13.

"The selectors are meeting on Thursday and only they will decide whether Shoaib Akhtar should be included for any part of the tour," Zaidi said.

Akhtar, who has suffered several career-threatening injuries in his 10-year career, has taken 165 Test and 199 one-day wickets. He has not played any international cricket since the last cricket Test against India at Karachi earlier this year.

Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq has already declared that he would not rush Akhtar's comeback if he or the medical commission has the slightest doubt about his fitness.