July 15, 2008	Tuesday	Rajab 11, 1429

LAHORE, July 14: Seasoned middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf and dope-tainted paceman Mohammad Asif have been omitted from the 30-member provisional squad for the ICC Champions Trophy while maverick pacer Shoaib Akhtar has managed to retain his place as national selectors awaited a PCB approval on the same prior to a final announcement on Tuesday.

Sources on Monday said that Yousuf withdrew from the mega event due to the sanctity of the holy month of Ramazan which coincides with the tournament to be held in September. Asif, of course, has been axed due to the recent doping saga at the IPL where the lanky Shaikhupura pacer tested positive.

Though it was expected that the PCB officials will grill the selectors for including Shoaib and Asif’s names in the list, the absence of chief operating officer Shafqat Naghmi saw Zakir Khan (Director Cricket Operations International) and Mudassar Nazar (Director National Cricket Academy) discussing the squad with them.

Sources said the meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere and the two PCB officials did not suggest any changes in the list. However, Yousuf’s withdrawal is likely to open doors for all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez to get a place in the squad. Earlier, the name of Faisal Iqbal was also considered but he too was not available.

The names of budding pacers Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Aamir, Mohammad Talha and Anwar Ali are under consideration to fill Asif’s place for the mega event.

Discussing Shoaib’s case in detail, the PCB officials were of the view that the bowler needed to deposit the cash penalty of Rs 7 million to get eligible for selection. However, Shoaib’s lawyer Abid Hasan Minto’s letter to the PCB saying his client will deposit the money after getting an order from the Lahore High Court, compelled the officials to allow Shoaib to retain his place in the squad. “We are ready to pay the fine whenever the LHC advises us on the same,” said the letter from Shoaib’s lawyer.

Meanwhile, Chief Selector Salahuddin Ahmed said on Monday that the PCB would announce the list of final probables on Tuesday. He also said that a few matches will be arranged shortly to asses the fitness of the players. “Some matches will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium from Aug 5-9 to allow Shoaib Akhtar and others to prove their match-fitness,” said the chief selector.

The last date to announce the final team for the Champions Trophy is Aug 11.