Shoaib Akhtar requires another five months to get into shape - India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

Pakistani fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will require another three to five months to get into shape to play cricket following liposuction surgery. Shoaib underwent surgery at a private hospital in Islamabad on Friday, shedding a good amount of fat in the process. "He would require three to five months to get fit. Any one going through such surgery needs a proper rehabilitation programme to get fit and ready for the strenuous exercise. "Any attempt to make an untimely comeback could further complicate his fitness problems," said Dr Waqar Ahmad, Deputy Director General Pakistan Sports Board. Waqar said that Shoaib is already 34. "In such an age, there are always chances of complications. Shoaib has to be careful in order to regain his full strength." Meanwhile, former Test pacer Sarfraz Nawaz expressed his unhappiness over Shoaib's decision to reduce the fat through liposuction. "He definitely has taken a wrong step. It is like taking a shortcut to make your body trim and ready. He should have instead tried to reduce the weight and trim his physique through workouts. That way you reduce your weight every day," The News quoted him, as saying. Despite surgery, it is unlikely that Shoaib would be in a position get ready and in form for the Test series against Australia starting in 40 days time.