Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is in doubt for Thursday's second Test against Sri Lanka after complaining of pain in his shoulder.

"He has pain in his shoulder and is not 100 per cent fit," captain Inzamam-ul-Haq told reporters.

Akhtar went to hospital for further scans on the injury, but Inzamam said that he may have to play the fast bowler regardless.

"We will assess his injury later in the evening and see whether it is possible to play him with some painkilling injections," Inzamam said.

Akhtar's injury is a big blow to Pakistan, which is trailing 1-0 in the series after losing the first test by a massive 201 runs at Faisalabad last Sunday.

Akhtar's new ball partner Muhammad Sami was ruled out of the second Test after pulling a groin muscle in Faisalabad.

Pakistan's two other first choice fast bowlers Shabbir Ahmed (knee operation) and Umar Gul (stress fracture of the back) are already nursing injuries and have been out of international cricket for several months.

"It's a difficult situation for us. Our three frontline bowlers are already injured and now it's Shoaib," Inzamam said.

Uncapped medium fast bowlers Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Riaz Afridi will make their way into the Pakistan's 14-man squad, with both in line to make their Test debut if Akhtar is ruled out.

Injury to key bowlers has worsened Inzamam's task of stopping the rampaging Sri Lankans from clinching their third successive series win in Pakistan.

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