Shoaib Akhtar has been called up to Pakistan’s squad in South Africa as cover for Umar Gul, who picked up an injury during the warm-up match against Rest of South Africa.
Akhtar was originally left out of the 17-man party after the selectors expressed concern over his fitness levels following his appeal from the drugs ban handed to him and Mohammad Asif. However, in the current round of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches Shoaib has taken a five-wicket haul for Islamabad.
Aamir Bilal, a Pakistan spokesman, told AFP: “Akhtar will fly out on the first available flight to South Africa as a back-up for fast bowler Gul, who was injured during a tour game.”
Akhtar has not played for Pakistan since the one-day series against England four months ago. He was banned for two years, and fellow paceman Asif for one year, in November after both tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone before the Champions Trophy.
However, a Pakistan Cricket Board appeals committee overturned the bans last month on the grounds that neither player took the banned substances knowingly.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has challenged the decision and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said last week that it is likely to rule on the appeal against the lifting of bans within four months.
The first Test against South Africa starts at Centurion Park on Thursday.
I thought this Naseem guy would stand tall and bring some credibility to PCB but he is even worst. The guy is a freak. He is trying to be like Bill Clinton. He loves to get into his shorts and run around Gadafi or Karachi National stadium trying to stay fit but does not have the balls to act like Bill Clinton. Maybe Naseem kay t*t*N may pani nahi.
Why could not they send Shoaib at the first place. After getting the blame from all over the world and internally they are sending a cover up for GUL....idiots.
Why could not they send Shoaib at the first place. After getting the blame from all over the world and internally they are sending a cover up for GUL....idiots.
and there was a time (not long ago) when we all thought that it was the bottom of Pakistan's cricket and we could only go up sigh
What happens if Gul gets fit? Which of the bowlers will play and be left out. Also, have they used injury to Gul as a a good opportunity to recall Shoiab back into the squad as management have been criticised for leaving him out inthe first place.
I don't think that the dopey Inzi will listen to Ashraf, didn't he have a big role in bringing back his mate Mustaq Ahmed whom Ashraf got rid off when he was appointed.
In the on-going 4 day match, Shoaib proved all these kakroaches wrong by taking 4 wicket haul in the first innings and add that to all the criticism met out to PCB from around the world, including ex-South African players, they had to save face.
With Yousf bhai out as well from the test team, Pakistan’s chances were ever so diminished with a weak bowling attack, so they send a cover up for Gul…What a cheap nasty trick.
Dont need cover, because you have backup on the tour. Supposedly, Rana & Sami are backups.
So with Asif, Gul, Nazir as the first choice for the test matches, you have Rana & Sami as 4 and 5. Common sense says, why would you need #6 bowlere then???
But the fact of the matter is, they were wrong to begin with and due to big gigantic egos did not consider Shoaib but now that they see their mistake, they use the word “cover for gul”…
Shoaib Malik is injured, so why was he even selected amongst the 17 to begin with? Shoaib Malik’s name was not part of this squad list since the team has been announced and today they added # 17 as Akhtar (below) http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/rsavpak/content/squad/274373.html
I hope that Shoaib Akhtar makes it in time and is ready to be part of the first test squad. That attack bowling would be lethal.
Yo… Check This Out… Really a cover for Gul or to save face???
Bob Woolmer talking about Gul’s injury.
**“He has seen a doctor who does not think it is anything more than strained ligaments. We will have a further scan to eliminate the chances of bruising to the bone but he should be fine for the first Test,” said Woolmer. **
I think if Gul not play in this series due to injury, it can only mean one thing....
"The Curse of Sami" as he might play in Gul's place in the first test match.
This whole saga is rediculus, and especially if Nasim and Inzi are fidling with the team selection just because of their personal likes and dislikes then it is a shame. Otherwise, in Shoaib case I think they should give him some good lesson that he is only super star because of Pakistan, and he should keep the interest and name of the country above his personal ego.
Look at Shaoib and compare him with all other great bowlers in the world, no one will act so selfish when its come to playing for their countries. If he is serious about his country, he should keep his fitness, health, night life, glamour etc is extreme order.
I will be in total support of taking him to SA, and then keeping him as a 12th man, and make him bring the drinks for playing 11. Look at Andrew Flintof, he carrys drinks and towels for his team mates even as a skipper of the team Look at Glen McGrath how he behave for his team, look at Shaun Pollock. Shoaib deserved to be taught but Inzi and Nasim should not use their personal likes and dislikes.
He is friend of Musharaf and finished product of GW Bush's land, so there is no wonder he is taking U turn. We shouldnt forget that he is not a administrator rather he is a doctor. Pakistan would have been better off to pick him as a team doctor than PCB chairman. He could massage Shoaib Akhtar and can take care of Malik and Gul injuries instead of dictating selection matters.
I hope Shoaib doesn't get injured... we need him more for ODIs and ultimately the world cup... Good luck shoaib.. it will be even more exciting to see the tests.
Look at Shaoib and compare him with all other great bowlers in the world, no one will act so selfish when its come to playing for their countries. If he is serious about his country, he should keep his fitness, health, night life, glamour etc is extreme order.
I will be in total support of taking him to SA, and then keeping him as a 12th man, and make him bring the drinks for playing 11. Look at Andrew Flintof, he carrys drinks and towels for his team mates even as a skipper of the team Look at Glen McGrath how he behave for his team, look at Shaun Pollock. Shoaib deserved to be taught but Inzi and Nasim should not use their personal likes and dislikes.
That is all uncalled for, I was up for ousting Shoaib when he wasn't behaving per team's codes and what nots, but after his last inclusion in the team there has been no news of bad behavior from Shoaib rather personal ego clash of Inzi against Shoaib for some reason. This time Shoaib is not to be blamed at all, just Nasim gadha and Inzi.
Rana is in the best form out of everyone, y rn't they gonna play him?!?! Sreesanth was just bowling outswingers and he got wickets, all our other bowlers r seamers.