Shoaib Akhtar has missed out on any possible inclusion in the Pakistan World Twenty20 squad, which is yet to be finalised. Akhtar was named in the 15-man squad for a training camp last week, however the injury-prone paceman is currently suffering from a skin infection in his groin; national coach Intikhab Alam has advised the 33 year old to rest.
Recent injury woes
Akhtar has been struggling for fitness since he made a comeback to international cricket earlier this year after 14 months. He missed the one-day international series against West Indies in October with a calf injury and the ill-fated Test series against Sri Lanka in March with a knee complaint.
He took just three wickets in four ODIs in this month’s series against Australia in the United Arab Emirates, where Pakistan lost 3-2.
The once fiery fast bowler — known as the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ — struggled with his form and could not bowl his full quota of 10 overs in any of the games against Australia; as well as only completing just two overs in their only Twenty20 against them, which Pakistan won.
Fast bowler Rao Iftikhar is likely to replace Shoaib after he was unable to attend a week-long conditioning camp held in Bhurban, a hill resort near Islamabad, last week.
Pakistan – World Twenty20 2009
Exciting warm-up games against South Africa and archrivals India before the much anticipated World Twenty20 ensures June is set to be an exciting month for the Pakistan team. I’ve no doubt they’ll be desperate to go one step further than the five-run defeat against India in 2007’s World Twenty20 final in South Africa.
Famed paceman Wasim Akram on Thursday tipped Pakistan to win next month’s tournament, predicting the green shirts can triumph if they play to their potential. Bookies place them at 4th behind Australia, South Africa, and odds-on favourites India.
Pakistan beat Australia by seven wickets in the only Twenty20 match in Dubai earlier this month — their last international before going to the England on May 30th. Pakistan are in Group B alongside hosts England and the Netherlands. Two teams from each of four groups will qualify for the Super Eight Stages.
By Freddie Knaggs - Twenty20Blog.co.uk
Loading ...
D Charlton
May 25th, 2009
Wasn’t it genital warts? That’s what the press release said - take a look at King Cricket who’s got the original… And why didn’t you say so!? That’s what makes this a fabulous story!!
Freddie Knaggs
May 25th, 2009
haha. You may well be right, but I guess i just felt a bit sorry for the guy… for once!
I could have sued PCB for revealing warts - Shoaib | Twenty20Blog.co.uk - A Twenty20 cricket blog
July 9th, 2009
[...] said he considered suing the Pakistan cricket management for revealing, in a public statement, the skin ailment that forced him to miss last month’s World Twenty20. The PCB’s statement on his fitness ahead of the tournament in England said Akhtar had been [...]