Shoaib Akhtar discharged from hospital

Shoaib Akhtar was discharged from hospital after his infection was brought under control © AFP

Shoaib Akhtar, the Pakistan fast bowler, has been discharged from a private hospital after recovering from a fever and chest infection on Wednesday evening.

Shoaib was admitted to the hospital after complaining of fatigue caused by a fever. He was Pakistan's best bowler in the first Test in Delhi, taking six wickets in the match, and all four Indian wickets to fall in the second innings. Shoaib would resume practice on Thursday but it was still uncertain whether he would play the second Test, which begins on Friday.

"He [Shoaib] is much better," Dr VR Ramanan, the medical director of Apollo Gleneagles hospital, told PTI. "He had good rest. The fever has subsided. The infection is very much within control. The soreness in the throat is also gone. So we decided to release him.

"He has been advised a night's rest and to continue with the medicines. He can gradually start normal activities from tomorrow."

Pakistan's other injury concerns include the captain Shoaib Malik, who was suffering from an ankle injury sustained while playing foot ball after the Delhi Test. Malik had a Grade 1 problem with his right ankle and sat out of a practice session on Wednesday.