LAHORE, July 5: Pace man Shoaib Akhtar insisted on Monday that he came to play cricket for Pakistan and not for either coach Bob Woolmer or captain Inzamamul Haq. "I have a contract of Rs 10.25 million with county Durham which I set aside to appear in the Asia Cup," Shoaib declared after making his first appearance at the national training camp at the Qadhafi Stadium.
Shoaib, the last of the 26 probables to report at the camp, said that although the PCB attitude towards him in the past gave him mental torture yet he was ready to play for Pakistan.
Shoaib explained that he had strained his calf muscle about which he had informed both Woolmer and the PCB, when he was still in England. "I am still bowling with that strain but hopefully, with the help of treatment here I will be fit for the Asia Cup," he said.
Shoaib said that he had great confidence in the abilities of Woolmer who also knew his psyche. "I know Woolmer has special tactics to deal with the fast bowlers problem and I hope I will enjoy my game under him," he remarked.
Shoaib admitted that under Woolmer's coaching the team would do better in the Asia Cup. About his differences with Inzamam, the bowler said that he had no grudge with any one and if the captain issued statements against him he should clarify things.
TEAM SELECTION: Woolmer, the Pakistan coach, said on Monday that the final decision of selecting the team would be taken by skipper Inzamamul Haq. "Inzamam is the one who has to fight in the field and he should have the right to choose his players," he said.
Woolmer added that he met the selection committee members and found them accommodating. The former South African coach pledged that he would not compromise on the fitness of any player. "Only a 100 per cent fit player will get a place in the team."
He revealed that Shoaib would also have to undergo the fitness test in the next couple of days. About Mohammad Sami's illness that compelled the fast bowler to be admitted to hospital, Woolmer said that he had stomach acidity problem while he was in London and insisted that training under the hot weather had nothing to do with his trouble.
" Sami has been discharged from the hospital this afternoon and he will be fit to play in the next couple of days," he explained. He dispelled the impression that because of rigid training schedule, the camp probables were facing fitness problems.
"The training is not that hard. In fact, the weather is hot and the boys are not accustomed to it." Woolmer reiterated that he was leaving for London on Wednesday and will join the Pakistan squad in Sri Lanka on July 15, a day before the start of the Asia Cup.
"I have some coaching assignments in London besides meeting my family. I have informed the PCB about my assignments for which I will take leave," he concluded.
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