KARACHI, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar will undergo knee surgery in Melbourne on Tuesday, a Pakistan Cricket Board official said.
"The specialist will carry out orthoscopic surgery to remove floating bodies in both his knees. It is a clean up," the PCB's director of cricket operations Saleem Altaf told Reuters on Monday.
"Shoaib is also suffering from a degenerative arthritis related problem, for which another surgery might be required.
"The specialists say Shoaib will require a minimum six to eight weeks to recover from the operation. After which he can resume training."
Shoaib, 30, who has taken 165 test and 199 one-day wickets, had already been told to rest for around six weeks to recover from a stress fracture of his ankle that has ruled him out of next month's tour of Sri Lanka.
Pakistan play two tests and three one-day internationals against the Sri Lankans. Shoaib also missed Pakistan's 4-1 loss to India earlier this month in the home one-day series.
Pakistan is desperate to have the fast bowler fully fit for the tour of England from late June where they play four tests and five one-dayers.