Re: 2nd ODI: Pakistan V West Indies, Faislabad, 7th Dec
Shoaib, Asif not to join team for West Indies series
** KARACHI, Dec 6: ** The Pakistan Cricket Board has vetoed a move by the selectors and the team management to have fast bowlers Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif join the team for the last three One-Day Internationals against the West Indies.
Sources in the Board said Chairman Dr. Nasim Ashraf did not agree with captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and the selectors that the two fast bowlers, who were cleared of doping bans on Tuesday, should join the team immediately.
"The chairman was very firm about it and said the two must first play some domestic games before they are considered for selection," a source said.
He said Inzamam had been particularly insistent about Asif who he pointed out had been training at the cricket academy in Lahore for the last two weeks and had played couple of club matches.
Ashraf's decision, the source said, had not pleased Inzamam who had earlier already had differences with him over the omission of all-rounder Shahid Afridi for the series.
Inzamam and coach Bob Woolmer wanted Afridi in the side but didn't get their wish, the source said.
Inzamam later showed up for a news conference before the second game on Thursday in a grumpy mood and least interested in taking questions but when asked when he thought Shoaib and Asif should be selected he had to toe the board line.
"It is a very good thing they have been cleared of their doping bans. But I think they have not played for a while now. They should first play some domestic games and then come back into the team," he said.
Inzamam said they would definitely be with the team on the tour to South Africa and their availability was a big boost for the side.
"They can improve their chances of doing well in matches. Their presence does not mean we will win all our games but they will definitely boost our chances of winning our matches," he said.
He pointed out both had proved themselves in the past with some stellar performances.
Shoaib and Asif have not played competitive cricket since August when they went to England. Both who had their two and one year doping bans overturned by an appeals committee of the Pakistan board have said they are keen to return to international cricket as soon as possible.
Sources said since Ashraf took over as chairman, the relations between him and Inzamam had been frosty with disagreements on several issues.
"But Ashraf is a direct nominee of the board's chief patron, President Pervez Musharraf and has the power to enforce his decision," the source said.
