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InDepth headlines national business sports cricket regional entertainment technology world travel autos health | in-depth coverage > India-Pakistan Cricket Series 2005 > Shoaib Akhtar pulls out of Test series against India 19.56 IST 18th Feb 2005 By IndiaExpress Bureau 
Pakistani pace ace has pulled out of the Test series against India next month due to injury but said that he would love to play the one-day series provided the team needs him.Shoaib on Friday said it would take him at least a month to recover from a hamstring injury. "I am disappointed to say that I have pulled out of the tour of India because my hamstring injury would take another four to five weeks and I don't want to play half fit," Shoaib said in Lahore. His pullout will further weaken a depleted Pakistan bowling attack with two other frontline pacemen, Shabbir Ahmed and Umar Gul, already ruled out of Pakistan's first tour of India in six years. The squad for the tour is expected to be announced on Saturday and it is reliably learnt that the selection panel headed by Wasim Bari has drawn up a tentative list of about "30-32 probables" for a short camp ahead of the tour. "Players like Misbha-ul-Haq, Shabbir Khan, Adnan Akmal, Arshad Khan and Muhammad Yasir Arafat, who have done well recently, would be considered for India," a source close to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said. Even veteran wicket keeper Moin Khan, who was dropped in favour of young Kamran Akmal for the Australian tour, is being considered. "Of course, Moin is being considered as an Indian tour is an intense tour where the experience of the veteran stumper would come in handy," he maintained. "We have also short listed former captain Waqar Younis as the bowling coach, and we are now waiting for his response," he said. Shoaib denied the decision was linked to a $500 fine handed down by the PCB on Thursday for a disco outing during the recent tour of Australia and three other counts of indiscipline. "No, I have nothing to say on the penalties, I don't want to have breakdowns on the tour," said Shoaib, who broke down during the Sydney Test last month and twice in the Tri-series before returning home. Shoaib, regarded as one of the fastest bowlers in cricket alongside Australian Brett Lee, said he would still try to play the one-day series scheduled for late March and early April. "I have informed the PCB of my decision and will inform them as soon as I get fit so if the team needs me at that stage I am available. "I would love to play the one-day series provided the team needs me." The 29-year-old, who suffered the injury during Pakistan's tour of Australia last month, aggravated it while training two days ago and consulted former players and specialists before reaching a decision. "I am a fast bowler and face such injuries. But this is an honest assessment that I can't be fully fit and that I need time to get match fit before I play on an important tour like India," said Shoaib. Shoaib has taken 144 wickets in 36 Tests and his 120 one-day internationals have fetched him 186 wickets since making debut in 1997. He became the first bowler to bowl over 100 miles per hour on two occasions but his career has been dogged by a row over his action -- which was reported as illegal on three occasions -- as well as by injuries and off-field controversies. Akhtar has been on the wrong end of the PCB's displeasure since his departure from Australia and the publication of pictures of him in a disco in Australian and Pakistani newspapers. But Shoaib insisted his decision to pull out of the Indian tour was not linked to differences with team management. "I have no differences with anyone, I have always tried my best for the team and never lacked in commitment. My pull out is an honest assessment, and don't read anything into it." Shoaib, dubbed the Rawalpindi Express, was also subjected to a medical inquiry for an feigning injury during Pakistan's home series against India last year. His disappointing seven wickets in three Tests against India raised doubts over his commitment and fitness, although medical reports confirmed his injury was genuine. in-depth coverage > India-Pakistan Cricket Series 2005 > |
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