The Hindu : Akhtar returns to Pakistan team

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 01, 2003

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Akhtar returns to Pakistan team

Islamabad April 30. Discarded express pace bowler Shoaib Akhtar returned to the Pakistan fold on Tuesday for next month's tri-series in Sri Lanka, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced.

Dubbed the `Rawalpindi Express' for his pace, the 27-year-old was dumped along with seven other senior players after Pakistan's disastrous World Cup first round exit in South Africa last month.

The colourful bowler was also criticised by PCB chairman Lieutenant General Tauqir Zia for his lack of discipline and was warned to clean up his act.

``I will serve the country to the best of my abilities,'' Akhtar said.

Pakistan last week included Akhtar in 21 camp probables but none of the other World Cup under-performers including ace batsman Inzamam-ul Haq, fast bowler Wasim Akram and World Cup captain Waqar Younis.

The tri-series scheduled between May 10-23 also involves hosts Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

The 15-member squad includes two uncapped players in openers Faisal Akthar and middle order batsman Yasir Hameed, both prolific performers at domestic level.

The team: Rashid Latif (capt.), Taufiq Umer, Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan, Yousuf Youhana, Shoaib Malik, Yasir Hameed, Shabbir Ahmed, Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Umer Gul, Abdul Razzaq, Faisal Athar, Danish Kaneria and Faisal Iqbal.— AFP

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