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NEW DELHI, Feb 2: Pakistan captain Wasim Akram was a doubtful starter for the second cricket Test against India but Mushtaq Ahmad has regained fitness for the game that starts at the Ferozeshah Kotla from Thursday.

Akram is suffering from a groin injury while Mushtaq Ahmad, who missed out in Pakistan's 12-run victory at Chennai, has recovered from a stiff neck.

Akram, who took five wickets in that heart-stopper, admitted that he was uncomfortable with the injury. He said his would decide on Wednesday whether to participate in the second Test or not.

``At the moment I am very uncomfortable. It (injury) is paining and I consider myself as a doubtful starter,'' he stated.

``I am not taking any extra medicines. Dr Dan Keisal is treating me and I am hoping to play in the second Test,'' he said.

Akram didn't take part in the training session that was held at a 'mystery place'. ``I was advised to skip today's training so that the injury doesn't aggravate. I don't know how serious it is but it is definitely hurting me.''

At Chennai, Akram had taken Broofen pain killing tablets to overcome the groin pain in the final session of the fourth day which turned out to be the final session of the match.

But Akram has to be very watchful in deciding about his availability for the second Test. He had also missed the World Cup quarter-final at Bangalore because of inter-coastal muscular injury on the right side which prompted his critics to level all sorts of allegations.

``I definitely want to play in the second Test because I know what is the feeling to win a Test series against India in India. But if my injury restricts me from giving my best to the team, I would prefer to sit out and give an opportunity to the player who, at least, is fully fit,'' Akram, who was a member of the 1987 winning side, said.

Team manager Shaharyar Khan said Wasim Akram was the right person to judge his fitness. ``I have complete confidence in him. I know he would be honest and take the right decision.

``He is in pain but every member of the side is expecting him to play in the second Test,'' he said.

Shaharyar Khan said Mushtaq Ahmad has regained complete fitness and would be considered for selection in the second Test squad. ``He attended the training session and had a good bowl after a week. He also participated in the fielding session.''

Mushtaq said he was eagerly waiting to reclaim his place in the Test side. ``I am 100 percent fit and anxiously waiting for the second Test. It was very painful to miss the first Test but I am determined to make mends for my absence by bowling Pakistan to victory in the second game.''

Akram said he visited the Ferozeshah Kotla on Tuesday. ``The wicket looks slow with the ball unlikely to come at a chest height. It looks like the one we had at Chennai,'' he said.

The groundstaff at the Ferozeshah Kotla was working day and night to give final touches to the wicket which was dug up by Shiv Sena activits earlier last month.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan cricket team attended a presidential reception on Tuesday afternoon.

``The President received us warmly and appreciated our performance at Chennai. He also hoped that cricket would improve the relations between the two countries,'' Shaharyar Khan told Dawn.

Shaharyar Khan quoted President K.R Narayanan as saying that the people of India have appreciated Pakistan's brilliant victory and they (people) were happy that the cricket team came to India.

Shaharyar Khan also met his cousin and former Indian captain Nawab Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi. ``He (Pataudi) was of the view that it was a good toss to loose but the Indians failed to capitalize from batting last on a wicket which had eased out considerably. He was of the opinion that at Chennai, two or three hours of the first day are difficult and Pakistan played brilliantly to come from behind to beat India.''

About the mood in the Pakistan camp, Shaharyar Khan said that the boys have shown professionalism by quickly coming out of that victory hang-over.

``Now they are looking forward to the second Test of the series. They know they can't lose the series from here but want to win the Test to wrap up the rubber 2-0. They know it has not been done in the past, so it's a great opportnity for them to create history,'' he said.

Shaharyar said the boys were keen and determined. ``They don't want to throw away the advantage of winning a cliffhanger and bringing the Indian team under pressure.''

Meanwhile, the Indian police has hired the services of 30 snake charmers after Chennai police reported that it arrested 50 odd people with 130 snakes. The Chennai police officials anticipated that it was a move by some Shiv Sena people who might try to throw the snakes in the ground during the second cricket Test.