Akram fit to play in Sharjah

SHARJAH, MARCH 22. Former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram will play in the Triangular limited overs series here after the Pakistan Cricket Board waived a fitness test for the fast bowler at the instance of captain Moin Khan.

Akram, who was to undergo a fitness test in Lahore after missing two tests against Sri Lanka following the groin injury he suffered during the Rawalpindi match, got a reprieve as Moin Khan and coach Javed Miandad insisted on his inclusion, saying his services would be vital for the team, the Gulf News reported today.

Akram will be arriving in Dubai today with the Pakistani team for the tournament also featuring India and South Africa. India and South Africa, which reached Sharjah last evening, will clash in the series opener tomorrow. Pakistan selectors had kept rookie pace bowler Irfan Fazil, who made his debut in the third Test against Sri Lanka at Karachi, as a standby if Akram had failed the test, the daily said quoting sources.

The selectors had to waive the fitness test as besides skipper Moin Khan and Miandad, some members of the advisory panel comprising Yawar Saeed, Rameez Raja and Miandad also insisted on Akram's inclusion.

Miandad even said the team will need Akram to put pressure on opponents in the tournament which he described will be very tough.

Moin Khan was keen on Akram in the absence of offspinner Saqlain Mushtaq and allrounder Azhar Mahmood. Both are in London seeking medical advise, Saqlain for a sudden illness and Mahmood for backpain.

- PTI

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