August 09, 2008	Saturday	Sha’aban 6, 1429

KARACHI, Aug 8: Desperate to have Shoaib Akhtar in the squad for next month’s Champions Trophy, Pakistan captain Shoaib Malik said on Friday that the mercurial pacer should be included in the side if he proves himself fit in the practice games scheduled ahead of the eight-nation event.

“Shoaib is a match winner if he is fit, so we are praying he comes through the practice games and is in the final squad,” Malik said.

Malik said he was impressed with the way Shoaib had been working hard on his fitness since being invited for the practice games which were shifted from Lahore to Multan on Thursday because of torrential rains.

The matches are to be held on Aug 8, 9 and 11 before the national selection committee finalises the 15-member squad for the Champions Trophy by the Aug 12 deadline set by the International Cricket Council (ICC).

“The weather ruined the matches in Lahore but hopefully we will get some cricket in Multan and allow the players to also get some practice,” Malik said.

He said it was important for the selectors to judge the fitness of all players before finalising the CT squad. “Shoaib (Akhtar) is working hard and trains in both morning and evening which is good. But the fitness of a cricketer can only be judged in a match and that’s why I am happy that we are having the practice matches,” Malik added.

Shoaib has been included in the preliminary squad for the Champions Trophy after he spent the last six months engaged in a battle with the authorities over disciplinary issues.

The board banned him for five years in March for violating the code of conduct but an appellate tribunal in June reduced the ban to 18 months besides imposing a fine of rupees seven million.

Shoaib got the ban suspended after filing a writ in the Lahore High Court which has not, however, waived the condition to pay the fine. His petition is due to be heard in September.

The selectors will also watch the fitness of pacer Umar Gul in the practice games while all-rounder Shahid Afridi is also insistent on playing the final game despite carrying a wrist injury.

Chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed said Umar had been training but had not bowled properly since sustaining his rib cartilage injury in the Asia Cup.

Sources, however, say the selectors have made up their mind to select Shoaib, Umar and Afridi in the final Champions Trophy squad even if they are less than 100 per cent fit during the trial matches.—Agencies