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Pakistan hit by injuries

Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar and all-rounder Abdur Razzaq are both in doubt for the second cricket Test against Australia starting in Hobart on Thursday.

Akhtar is struggling with an ankle injury while Razzaq is in doubt because of bruising to his lower back.

Akhtar, recognised as the fastest bowler in the world, was unable to take the field on the final day of Pakistan's tour match against South Australia today.

He was seen hobbling around the team dressing room although the Pakistan management were quick to play down the extent of his injury.

''We're just trying to hurry up the treatment, he's just immobilised today and tomorrow he'll be running,'' Pakistan physiotherapist Dale Naylor said.

''We're just trying to keep it still, the idea is we've got three days before the Test match and we just want to totally get rid of all the inflammation.''

Razzaq injured his back when he slid over a metal grid while fielding near the boundary line in Pakistan's warm-up game against Queensland a fortnight ago.

He aggravated the injury in last week's first Test defeat and missed the four-day match against South Australia.

Meanwhile, the Australian Cricket Board announced that it will go into the Test with the same team of the first Test.

UNI