December 30, 2006	Saturday	Zilhaj 08, 1427

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

LAHORE, Dec 29: Pakistan’s maverick fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar stormed out of the Gaddafi Stadium on Friday after holding a brief meeting with the Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman, Dr Nasim Ashraf following his axing from the South African tour.

Shoaib, who had appeared at the stadium soon after the announcement of the Pakistan team, left the chairman’s office after just 15 minutes, looking extremely angry and refusing to talk to the mediamen at the ground.

Later, selector Ehtesham-ud-Din told the press conference that Shoaib could not find a place in the squad since he lacked match-fitness. “Shoaib’s performance in the third Twenty-20 Cup was proof that he needs to gain more match-fitness,” he said.

Ehtesham, however, said that the Rawalpindi Express could stage a comeback for the one-day series against South Africa if he displays form and required match-fitness in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy which commences from Jan 6.

“Shoaib will have five matches in a row in the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy and if he does well, he will definitely be considered for the one-day series against South Africa,” said Ehtesham, a former Test medium pacer.

According to inside sources, Shoaib who was recently exonerated from doping charges alongwith fellow pacer Mohammad Asif, was under consideration for the tour but his refusal to display a sponsor’s logo in the recent Twenty20 Cup rubbed the PCB officials wrong way and compelled them to impose a fine of Rs 10,000 on him for his needless act.

While Asif was recalled by the selectors on Friday for the challenging tour, lanky medium-pacer Shabbir Ahmed failed to get selectors’ nod. According to Ehtesham, the lanky pace bowler, who recently completed a one-year ban imposed by the ICC for his illegal bowling action,

Also failed to impress in the Twenty20 Cup and did not show much enthusiasm in the ongoing training camp at the Gaddafi Stadium for the tour.