Thursday, June 04, 2009

Shoaib Akhtar's struggle for T20 World cup 2009 England

Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar could be skipped from Pakistan's team for the World Twenty20 Championships if he failed to appear for the practice games in Lahore later this week.

A resource in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told IANS that Shoaib will have to play in the three practice games to be played between Patron's XI and Chairman's XI May 20-22. The matches are being set in preparation for the June 5-21 World Twenty20 Championships in England.

Shoaib, 33, is part of Pakistan's 15-man squad for the England but there is a question mark about his chances of featuring in the biennial spectacle as he skipped a five-day conditioning camp held in the hill resort of Bhurban due to a skin problem.

Shoaib has been named in the Patrons XI to be led by Younus Khan but it remains to be seen whether he will feature in the matches.

A source close to Shoaib said that the fast bowler has improved from his skin problem and has resumed his training for the World Twenty20 Championship.

But the bowler could face corrective action from the PCB after opting to get his skin disease treated by a private doctor rather than going to a specialist suggested by the Board.

According to a statement in the Jang newspaper senior PCB officials including the Board chairman Ijaz Butt are miserable with Shoaib's conclusion to consult a private doctor before taking permission from the PCB's medical commission.

According to the central contract that Shoaib has signed with the board, he has to take permission from the PCB before consulting a doctor for any kind of medical condition.

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