Shoaib Akhtar admitted to hospital with chest infection

“The doctor diagnosed a chest infection and said it was advisable to put him on injectible antibiotics and intravenous fluids. He has been admitted to the hospital,” Malik said.

The Pakistan media manager hoped that Akhtar would be released from the Apollo Gleneagles hospital on Wednesday.

Asked whether Shoaib would recover before the second Test at the Eden Gardens starting November 30, Malik said, “We are hopeful that he will be able to play.”

Earlier, Akhtar was taken to the hospital for a check-up.

Hospital sources said Akhtar, who had low blood pressure, had been kept at the Maharaja suite.

Malik said Pakistan middle order bat Misbah-ul Haq, who had developed a viral infection during the opening Test in Delhi, was fast improving.

About skipper Shoaib Malik, who had an ankle sprain, the media manger said, “We are hopeful he will be cured before the start of the Test match at the Eden Gardens.”

The Pakistan team arrived here this afternoon and the skipper was seen limping as he alighted from the team bus to enter the hotel.

Both Malik and Misbah had check-ups at the hospital before returning to the team hotel.