LAHORE, July 5: Pace spearheads Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Asif and Umar Gul are unlikely to be included for the proposed three-nation Twenty20 tournament, expected to feature West Indies, Bangladesh and Pakistan, to be held in Toronto in the mid of August.

Reliable sources said though Shoaib had been temporarily allowed through a court’s order to play for Pakistan, after his 18-month ban was suspended, his chances to get a place in the team were remote since he had to approve his match-fitness, and there was no domestic cricket till August.

Asif’s chances are not bright as well. The lanky paceman has to face a PCB in-house inquiry over his detention at the Dubai airport last month for allegedly carrying a banned substance in his wallet. The inquiry is to start after the Asia Cup ends.

Umar is also not available due to his rib injury he suffered during the Asia Cup. Presently, he is on a two-week rest, but sources said he might not be considered for the event to avoid any further fitness problem.

—Sports Reporter