Akhtar ruled out for Sri Lanka one-day series
By ANISunday, July 19, 2009
LAHORE - Pakistan’s controversial fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar has been ruled out for the one-day international series against Sri Lanka beginning later this month.
Interim cricket chief selector Wasim Bari observed Akhtar during a ’special’ fitness test conducted here at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), but denied to recommend the pacers name for selection saying he lacked match fitness.
“He (Akhtar) has not played any cricket recently so we will not consider him for the one-day series starting later this month,” Bari said.
Bari, however, said that Akhtar would be considered for the Champions Trophy scheduled to be held in South Africa in September.
“Surely, he will be considered for the Champions Trophy,” The Daily Times quoted Bari, as saying.
Akhtar last appeared in a one-day series against Australia in April-May in the United Arab Emirates. He was later axed the Twenty20 World Championship squad due to a skin infection.
On Saturday, Bari conducted a fitness test for Akhtar where he did not bowl even a single delivery. He was only asked to do some fielding and running exercises for barely 20 minutes. (ANI)
