Akhtar could be axed from Twenty20 World Cup squad

KARACHI - Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar could be dropped from Pakistan’s squad for the next month’s World Twenty20 Championships if he failed to appear for the practice games in Lahore later this week.

A source in the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) told IANS Monday 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 arranged 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 Younis Khan but it remains to be seen whether he will feature in the matches.

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

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

According to a report in the Jang newspaper Monday, senior PCB officials including the Board chairman Ijaz Butt are unhappy with Shoaib’s decision 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.