SHOAIB Akhtar has been dramtically ruled out of tomorrow's Frizzell County Championship with an injury.

It is the latest miserable episode in a stop-start Worcestershire stint for the Pakistan fast bowler.

Worcestershire wanted Shoaib at Blackpool to further boost their Division Two promotion claims.

The 30-year-old was originally sel-ected in the County 12-man squad, but he returned from the Afro-Asian Cup in South Africa yesterday with fluid on the knee and a side strain.

All-rounder Daryl Mitchell is now set to replace Shoaib following his 181 yesterday in Worcestershire Second XI's clash with Warwickshire at Ombersley.

"It is extremely disappointing," said County chief executive Mark Newton.

"We only found out about his niggles when he arrived back yesterday.

"It is disappointing because, in four-day cricket, Shoaib is top of the bowling averages."

Victory at Stanley Park would seriously improve the County's chances of staking a top three finish.

Worcestershire last faced Lancashire at Blackpool in a drawn three-day match in 1991. Greame Hick is the sole survivor from that encounter.