Pakistan are considering sending Shoaib Akhtar home after the fast bowler broke down twice in two matches during the current tour of New Zealand.

The 25-year-old quickie broke down during today's one-day international defeat in Dunedin. He had been timed as bowling at 94mph before leaving the field and returned to bowl off a shortened run-up, picking up two wickets with consecutive deliveries.

However, Shoaib had aggravated the same leg injury which had forced him to limp out of last week's match in Napier after bowling just nine balls.

And Pakistan captain Moin Khan confirmed that the "Rawalpindi Express" might be asked to return home. "It is an option we're looking at at this stage," he said.

Regarded as the world's fastest bowler, Shoaib was unable to fulfil a contract to play for Nottinghamshire last summer because of back and side injuries. He then missed ten months of cricket before his comeback on the current tour.

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