Shoaib Akhtar has withdrawn from Pakistan's Test series against England after specialists recommended further rest for injuries that prevented him playing for Nottinghamshire this summer.

The 25 year-old Rawalpindi Express needs a month of rest and recuperation after being treated by doctors in Australia.

He said: ``I am feeling pain in my shoulder but my knee and ankle are far better. It will take me another month to play at the highest level. I bowled in the nets on Friday but the pain has not subsided.

``It's very disappointing not to play for Pakistan in the Caribbean and for Nottinghamshire this year but I am hopeful that I will make up for the loss soon.''

``I committed mistakes by taking injections and playing, that aggravated my injury, but I played for my country,'' he said.

``I hope to play in England next year when Pakistan tour there and hope to play county cricket in 2002.''

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