Pakistan left out injured fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar [Images] from a 16-member touring squad announced on Thursday for the Test series in England [Images], and recalled pacer Shahid Nazir.

Akhtar, Pakistan's most experienced bowler in contemporary cricket with 165 Test and 199 one-day wickets, was not considered because of a stress fracture of the ankle.

Medical experts have told the Pakistan Cricket Board to rest him for six weeks before he resumes bowling.

Akhtar, 30, has not played since January and underwent knee surgery in Australia in February.

"The selectors felt it was not right to take a risk with him as we have a lot of matches lined up including next year's World Cup," chief selector Wasim Bari told reporters in Lahore [Images].

"He will be considered to join the team later on when he starts bowling again. The selectors have recalled Shahid Nazir as his replacement," he said.

Also recalled was pacer Mohammad Sami [Images] who has been sidelined since the tests against India in January.

Nazir, 28, has played eight Tests and 17 one-day internationals but his last test appearance was in March 1999 against Sri Lanka [Images]. He went to India and the West Indies [Images] last year but did not play a single match.

"In Shoaib's absence we needed a bowler who has experience of bowling in English conditions. So we have chosen Nazir," Bari said.

Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer [Images] described Akhtar's injury as "sad" and said the team would try to do their best with their available resources. "We have done well in test cricket in the last few series and we have a good set of players. But it is a going to be a hard tour."

Shoaib picked up the ankle injury during last year's home series against England, when he took 17 wickets.

He limped out of action after playing the final test against India at Karachi in January.

The first match of the four-test series against England starts at Lord's on July 13. Pakistan have not lost a Test series in England since 1987.

Pakistan squad: Inzamam-ul-Haq [Images], Salman Butt [Images], Imran Farhat [Images], Shoaib Malik [Images], Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf [Images], Faisal Iqbal [Images], Kamran Akmal, Shahid Afridi [Images], Abdul Razzaq [Images], Mohammad Sami, Shahid Nazir, Umar Gul, Rana Naved, Mohammad Asif [Images], Danish Kaneria.