Shoaib has not played since injuring his knee last April but had hoped to recover and form a formidable pace attack alongside Wasim Akram in the three-Test series which begins at Lahore next Wednesday.

But after lengthy rehabilitation under the supervision of Dr Tauseef Razak, who has been delegated by the Pakistan Cricket Board to co-ordinate Shoaib's recovery, he has been told it will take at least another month before he can play again.

"Shoaib is undergoing a training programme at present but the doctor has informed us he will take another 30 days to be completely fit again," said a PCB spokesman on Friday.

Shoaib, rated as the fastest bowler in the world alongside Australia's Brett Lee, was put under Dr Tauseef's supervision after he failed to show signs of recovery from the knee injury even after flying to visit Perth specialists.

His absence has forced Pakistan to adopt a different tactic for next week's opening Test, with four spinners being named in the provisional 18-man training camp squad preparing for Lahore.

In addition to Saqlain Mushtaq, Shahid Afridi and Mushtaq Ahmed, uncapped leg-spinner Danish Kanaria has also been named in the party and has made an immediate impact on coach Javed Miandad.

"Kanaria is good. He's definitely one for the future," said Miandad. "He's impressed everyone in the nets in the last two days but whether he plays in the Test or not, nothing is final as yet."

But Miandad is taking nothing for granted against England, who begin the series as established underdogs.

He said: "We're not taking this England side lightly. To predict beforehand that they are weak against spinners and will not be able to survive on slow and turning tracks is all premature talk.

"All professional sides are adept at playing any type of bowling and on any type of pitch."