Bangalore: Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar was taken to the hospital for an MRI scan after he complained of back pain during the opening day's play in the third and final cricket Test against India here at the Chinnaswamy Stadium today.

The Pakistan team management revealed that the scan report was clear and it was a case of muscle spasm, a painful and involuntary muscular contraction.

Shoaib, who played with a chest infection in the second Test at Kolkata, had discomfort in bowling during the Indian innings after the hosts elected to bat first. He bowled four overs in his first spell before leaving the ground after seven overs.

After India lost their opener Gautam Gambhir to Mohammad Sami, the Akhtar came back to bowl the ninth over. But at the end of the 32nd over, he left for the hospital when the pain became unbearable.

Akhtar, who has taken eight wickets so far the Test series, took no further part in the day s play and Pakistan team management will take a call on him again tomorrow before revealing whether he will bowl on the second day.

Source : PTI