July 31, 2007	Tuesday	Rajab 15, 1428

KARACHI, July 30: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar survived a bout of dehydration and cramps to bowl six eventful overs during the fourth Twenty20 practice game of the series in which Pakistan Tigers got the better of Pakistan Panthers by nine wickets at the National Stadium here on Monday.

Making a much-awaited first match appearance on the fourth day of the ongoing camp in Karachi, Shoaib started his spell with a maiden over.

But the intensity of the hot and humid conditions drained the 31-year-old speedster to such an extent that he came off the field after having bowled just three overs — the last two going for 24 runs. Youngster Khalid Latif, the ex-Under-19 Pakistan captain, clobbered Shoaib for four boundaries in the second over before pulling him for a huge six in the next one.

As Shoaib walked off the field in his boxer shorts, questions over his fitness were asked by those present at the ground. Team manager Talat Ali was grilled by mediamen and was asked to explain the exact state of Shoaib’s fitness. In fact, it took a while for the reluctant manager to come down and speak to the media.

“There is nothing wrong with Shoaib,” said Talat. “The conditions drained his energy levels, so much so that he was totally dehydrated. He took a cold shower and consumed a lot of water to regain his composure,” he informed the reporters.

“For somebody like Shoaib it was really very tough at the start of the game today. He did the right thing to come off at that stage. But he will bowl again when the other team bats,” added the team manager.

True to Talat’s prediction, Shoaib was back in action when the Tigers batted. With the ground pretty much under a cloud cover and the breeze picking up slightly, Shoaib looked much more relaxed.

However, the Rawalpindi Express clearly lacked rhythm and sprayed the ball all over the place. Salman Butt and Imran Nazir cashed in on the wayward stuff to pound Shoaib as the ball regularly sped to the boundary in different directions.

The first over went for 13 runs, the second for 10. Another 18 came off the next over and Shoaib’s final analysis read 3-0-41-0.

Shoaib’s misfortunes apart, the match itself produced little excitement. Khalid Latif top-scored with a bright 29-ball 40, including five fours and two sixes, as the Panthers made 158 for seven. Fawad Alam and Misbah-ul-Haq each contributed 26 with the former striking five boundaries.

Shahid Afridi took the bowling honours, dismissing Naved Latif (14) before getting of left-handers Fawad and Sohail Tanvir with successive deliveries.

Salman and Imran Nazir then made light work of the target on hand and merrily put on 136 before Abdul Rehman broke through. The slow left-armer had Imran caught for a blistering 63 which required only 28 balls and was punctuated with eight fours and three sixes.

Salman, meanwhile, excelled while confirming yet again that he is in the Twenty20 zone. The left-handed Pakistan vice-captain slammed 12 fours and one six on his way to 74 off 45 deliveries.

Shoaib Malik, the Pakistan captain, scored 14 when the game finished with 40 legitimate deliveries still remaining.

Mohammad Sami, leading the Panthers on Monday, took himself off after conceding 24 in two overs. Left-arm paceman Najaf Shah gave away 30 runs in his two overs and only Rehman redeemed himself with one for 31 in four overs.

The probables will spend Tuesday with strength training session at their base before taking the field on Wednesday for the fifth match which is scheduled to start at 3.00pm.

Summarised scores:,/B>

PAKISTAN PANTHERS 158-7 in 20 overs (Khalid Latif 40, Misbah-ul-Haq 26 not out, Fawad Alam 26, Shahid Yousuf 21; Shahid Afridi 3-29); PAKISTAN TIGERS 160-1 in 13.2 overs (Salman Butt 74 not out, Imran Nazir 63).