Date:25/12/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/12/25/stories/2006122508041600.htm

Sport - Cricket

Akhtar unlikely for SA series

PHOTO: AFP

Shoaib Akhtar.

Karachi: Fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar is unlikely to make the Pakistan squad for the upcoming tour of South Africa despite being cleared of doping charges by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

Shoaib has been called to attend the national training camp ahead of the tour on his return to domestic cricket this month but the PCB, team management and selectors are not sure about the fitness and form of the flamboyant paceman and consider him a risk for the series.

``There are serious doubts over his fitness and form as his return to domestic cricket has not been smooth and he has faced problems,'' a PCB source said. ``Shoaib is struggling and the selectors are not sure if he is fit enough to make international cricket,'' another source said.

They said the path for return of Mohammad Asif, another pacer exonerated of the doping charges by PCB's Appeals Tribunal, was clear as he was bowling well for Sialkot in the ongoing Twenty20 Cup. — PTI