September 24, 2008	Wednesday	Ramazan 23, 1429

LAHORE, Sept 23: Express bowler Shoaib Akhtar, provided he is fit, can be considered for selection in the Pakistan squad for the quadrangular Twenty20 tournament in Canada.

Showing a soft corner once again for the controversial fast bowler at a press briefing here on Tuesday, Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) Chief Operating Officer Shafqat Naghmi said: “If fit, Shoaib can be considered by the selectors for the four-nation event as his presence can help Pakistan win matches. The fine amount then is not so important.”

Surprisingly, PCB’s lawyer Taffazul Hussain Rizvi had announced earlier that Shoaib could only feature in national and international cricket after paying up the Rs 7 million fine imposed on him by the PCB appellate tribunal in a case of misconduct dating back to the middle of this year.

Later, he had also moved an application before the Lahore High Court, where Shoaib had submitted a plea against the fine and five-year ban imposed on him.

Though the LHC had already waived the ban, it has still to give its verdict over the fine. The next hearing is on Oct 3.

But even though PCB’s lawyer is fighting the case in court, the COO has gone ahead to confirm Shoaib’s availability for the Oct 10-13 event in Canada.

Taffazul Hussain had raised the same issue when the national selection committee was to finalise the team for the postponed ICC Champions Trophy. But again at the time of selection, PCB, while saying the fine came secondary, allowed Shoaib to play.

Meanwhile, Naghmi, to a question admitted that earlier a huge contingent of 60 people including the Pakistan team was going to Canada for the four-day tournament. “But that number has now been reduced by the PCB,” he added.

Although Naghmi could not provide a fresh number of joy riders, he did say that visas for 21 players, seven officials and some journalists were being obtained.

The list, it has been learned, was reduced after the Federal Sports Ministry took control of the board on Monday.