Pakistan call up fast bowler Fazl-e-Akbar

ehsan · December 21, 2002, 4:20pm

KARACHI (Reuters) - Injury-hit Pakistan have called up Fazl-e-Akbar to strengthen their pace bowling resources for the test series against South Africa beginning in Durban on Thursday.

“The team management have requested for back-up after an injury to Mohammad Sami,” Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman Sami-ul-Hasan told Reuters on Saturday.

Hasan said the 23-year-old Fazl-e-Akbar, who last played for Pakistan in a 2001 tournament in England, would fly to South Africa later on Saturday.

Pakistan are already without fast bowlers Wasim Akram, who opted out of the test series to rest before the World Cup, and Shoaib Akhtar who has been sent home for treatment on his knees.

Left with just three specialist pace bowlers in captain Waqar Younis, Mohammad Zahid and Mohammad Sami, as well as the medium-pace of all-rounder Abdur Razzaq, the Pakistan team felt they needed Akbar, who toured South Africa in 1997-98.

“Sami suffered a hand injury during practice and the management just wants to have some back-up for him,” Hasan said.

UMAIR316 · December 21, 2002, 4:33pm

Fazl E Akbar is a good fast bowler, he has been consistently doing very well on the county circuit but he gets overlooked by selectors every time.

Pakistani_Tiger · December 21, 2002, 5:23pm

Good!

Including Fazl, Waqar and Muhammad Zahid, Pakistan's bowling side looks somewhat strong, though.

Main question remains of batting. Batsmen have to really put an effort this time. We lost ODI series against South Africa because of our batting.

Raja_PK · December 25, 2002, 12:42am

Well, we shouldn't worry about our Balling that much because the Pakistani team has some good ballers, such as:Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib. Saqlain.

The real worry is the Batting, our batsmen get out too early.